Located on the edge of the Rhône, in the heart of a loamy and fertile alluvial plain, between the Rhône and the Montagnette, Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, 219 souls, is nestled in the middle of orchards sharing apricot trees, peach trees and apple trees. Welcome for an unforgettable country walk.
Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, a village of traditions
There are different versions on the etymology of the name “Mézoargues”. The best known are “the house of waters”, and “in the middle of the waters”. What is certain is that “argues” like “acutes” comes from the Langue d’Oc word meaning “waters” due to the proximity of the river.
Between Rhône and Montagnette, the town of Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues is nestled in the middle of orchards. In the heart of the village are the town hall, the church and the school. The rest of the commune is made up of farmhouses and agricultural buildings scattered throughout the area.
Around 219 inhabitants, the Saint-Pierroises and Saint-Pierrois, liven up this small town located at the crossroads between Avignon, Nîmes and Arles.
Close to well-known towns, Boulbon for the Bottle Procession, Vallabrègues for the Basketry Festival, Tarascon for its rich history and the Tarasque Festival. Facing the Alpilles, the Vallée des Baux and the heart of Provence, Saint-Pierre brings to life the traditions, the Provencal language and the traditional costume of the Pays d'Arles during its celebration, Saint-Pierre, on the first weekend. end of August.
In the middle of the orchards
The town is located in the center of a rich horticultural plain. The village develops fruit crops (cherries, peaches, apples, apricots), market gardening and olive groves which extend over generous land.
With loamy and very fertile soil near the Rhône, the commune's farmers are efficient and sell their production on the National Interest Market of Châteaurenard and that of Saint-Étienne-du-Grès.
Thus, Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, combining tradition and modernity, has managed to preserve its terroir to make it a real asset.
Remarkable fact: Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues has the last one-room school in the department
Bouches-du-Rhône!
SAINT-PIERRE-DE-MEZOARGUES, A BEAUTIFUL STORY
The history described below comes largely from extracts from “The Mézoargues monograph” in «The castle in the Middle Ages in the diocese of Avignon University of Aix-Marseille. AM Durupt 1991. The history of the village is directly linked to the history of Provence which became French in 1481. Here are some chronological elements, for history lovers…
At the end of the 10th century, the Comtale de Provence family chose a younger branch of the Viscounts of Avignon to control its territory of Boulbon, of which Mézoargues is a part. At that time we spoke of “Mizoague”. Then “Mazoargues” appears before becoming “Mézoargues”.
After the marshes dried up, a town developed around a state church dedicated to Saint-Pierre. The Viscounts, who took the name of the place where they settled, created a castrum (attested in 1125) by erecting a castle near the Saint Pierre church, to regroup the scattered habitat in sparse islets. Considered a castle, Saint-Pierre would later become a parish church.
In the 1125th century, the Viscounts of Mézoargues were allied with the Baussenque party in its struggle to access the throne of Provence, occupied by the House of Barcelona. In XNUMX, the lordship of Mézoargues came under the sovereignty of the Counts of Barcelona
1665, creation of the village
In the 1252th century, the struggles between the aristocrats and the Count of Provence, allied with the Bishop of Avignon, put an end to the supremacy in the region of the Viscounts of Mézoargues who lost their castle, declared destroyed in XNUMX. Campredon is undoubtedly a war bastide built by the Count of Provence to besiege the seigneurial castle of Mézoargues which would become a castrum mentioned in the XNUMXth century. The family will emigrate to Viguerie d'Arles.
In the 1715th century, Queen Jeanne handed over the lordship to the Seneschal of Provence, Jean Gantelme, for services rendered. He will cede part of the lands of Campredon to the Benedictines of Tarascon (dependent on the Abbey of Lérins) to create a Priory there. After the dynastic struggles and the occupation of the territory by the Viscount of Turenne, part of the Mézoargues estate will return to the De Maingre family. The Saint-Pierre church will survive the events of the 1858th to the 1868th centuries. It was rebuilt in 1665, lengthened by a third in XNUMX and the bell tower was erected in XNUMX. The Parish was created in XNUMX by dismemberment of that of Tarascon.
Accm
A heritage steeped in history
The church has magnificent statues of the Virgin and Child and Saint Roch in the choir. A Chapel of the Holy Virgin and a Chapel of Saint-Pierre are decorated with beautiful statues. The stained glass windows are worth seeing, particularly the one installed in 2012 in the bell tower. The latter, offered by the municipality, is the work of a craftsman from Beaucaire.
Accm
AccmPreviously, the 4th century Campredon Castle had a chapel in the middle of the building. It was remodeled several times. Today, Mas des XNUMX Tours, it houses private homes.
The town hall, an 18th century building, well restored, constitutes with the church and the old Presbytery, a quality ensemble and marks the center of this village with dispersed housing.
HAVE TO DO
At the heart of a region rich in majestic sites, festivals of all kinds, vestiges of history, nature outings, the village of Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues is a stone's throw from Cultural Tours or nature walks.
Departing from Boulbon
Walking tour of Montagnette, from Boulbon to Moulin Bonnet
Hike to Saint-Michel de Frigolet Abbey
Some ideas from bike rides
Departing from Tarascon
Heritage visits: King René's Castle, the historic center and the Cordeliers-museum of Art and History.
To visit the church of Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues
Contact the town hall, in the afternoons, Monday to Friday: 04 90 43 93 42
Would you like to take a break? Here are some suggestions
The House of Boulbon
boulbon
Montagnette
boulbon
La Bastide des Oliviers
boulbon
The Cottage of Happiness
boulbon
The Bastide of Boulbon
boulbon
At Mas du Papé
Saint-Pierre-de-Mezoargues
Gîte of the Mas des Oliviers
Saint-Pierre-de-Mezoargues
Villa Roman
boulbon
Maisonette at the foot of the Castle
boulbon
Montagnette
boulbon
Paola's cottage
boulbon
The Saint Jean House
boulbon
Jollion House
boulbon
Right behind our house
boulbon
GOOD TO KNOW
In Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues, you can:
Enjoy some musical moments in the church during specific events. Visits are by appointment at the town hall secretariat.
Such. 04 90 43 93 42 Monday to Friday from 13:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Taste locally made and artisanal liqueurs
Boutique l'Harmonieux, at Robin & Béatrice Raoux
8, place Georges de Régis
13150 Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues
beatrice@lharmonieux.fr
Tarascon Tourist Information Office
Tel. 04 90 91 03 52
62, rue des Halles
13150 Tarascon