Église de Roquemartine

Église de Roquemartine is a ruined medieval church dedicated to Saint-Sauveur, standing in the hills of the Alpilles massif within the commune of Eyguières, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence. It is the last surviving trace of the abandoned settlement of Roquemartine and today draws visitors looking for lesser-known corners of the region.

What is the story behind this ruin?

A place of worship has existed on this site since at least the end of the 11th century, though the building visible today took shape over several centuries and is hard to date with precision, since repeated repairs erased many of the original stylistic details. The oldest surviving section, the north wall with its now-blocked doorway, dates from the second half of the 12th century or the early 13th century. The pentagonal apse and the porch in front of the north entrance belong to a later building phase attributed to the 13th century, while the wall separating the western part of the nave was added in the 15th century.

The church served as the parish church of the small settlement of Roquemartine. Pastoral visitation records from 1628 describe the building as being in ruins, yet by 1650 repairs had evidently been carried out. Those repairs, however, did not save the structure in the long run: the rest of the nave collapsed completely in the 1950s. When the region's administrative boundaries were redrawn in 1805, the former parish of Roquemartine was absorbed into the commune of Eyguières.

Because of its historical value, the site was listed as a monument historique in 1926. The church ruins form part of a larger complex, the castellas de Roquemartine — an abandoned medieval fortified settlement that also includes the remains of a castle. The site has been the subject of heritage preservation campaigns led by French historic-conservation organizations, a sign of how significant, if neglected, this piece of Provençal history remains.

What will you see on site?

Visitors find the stone remains of a religious building — surviving walls, including the distinctive pentagonal apse and fragments of the porch. The different construction phases are still visible in the masonry, which gives anyone interested in medieval architecture something extra to look for: it is possible to trace the successive building stages just by reading the walls. The church stands alongside the remains of the wider abandoned settlement of Roquemartine, so a visit to the ruined church naturally extends into exploring the broader hilltop site.

How do you get there?

Église de Roquemartine sits in hilly terrain within the commune of Eyguières, away from main roads. As a ruin embedded in the Alpilles landscape, the site has not been developed for mass tourism — there is no parking right next to the building and no visitor infrastructure, and reaching the ruins requires walking on foot. Sturdy shoes, water, and a map of the area are worth bringing along, since the surroundings are natural and largely undeveloped.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the exposed, rocky terrain with little shade, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, when Provence's temperatures are milder. Summer heat can make the walk to the site quite demanding, while winter weather in the region tends to be changeable. The ruins can technically be visited year-round, but because of their fragile state, it's worth staying cautious and avoiding any unstable sections of wall.

Frequently asked questions

What is Église de Roquemartine? It is the ruins of a medieval parish church dedicated to Saint-Sauveur, which once served the settlement of Roquemartine, now part of the commune of Eyguières.

How old is the church? Its oldest surviving parts date to the second half of the 12th century, although a place of worship existed on the site as early as the end of the 11th century. Further sections were added in the 13th and 15th centuries.

Is the church still in use? No, it is a ruin. Part of the nave collapsed entirely in the 1950s, and the building no longer serves any religious function.

Is the site protected? Yes, it was listed as a monument historique in 1926 and forms part of the wider castellas de Roquemartine ruins, which also include the remains of a castle.