Photo: Ancient Chapel France

The ancient chapel and belfry of Notre Dame de Beauvoir high above the village of Moustiers Ste Marie in the Alpes de Haute region of Provence in France, Europe.

The ancient chapel and belfry of Notre Dame de Beauvoir high above the village of Moustiers Ste Marie in the Alpes de Haute region of Provence in France. This was restored in both the 12th and 16th centuries however, it actually dates back to the 8th century in the time of Charlemagne (742-814).The Notre Dame de Beauvoir Chapel was built on the site of an earlier abbey founded in 434 by the Bishop of Riez, St Maxima. Notre Dame de Beauboir was one of the main pilgrimage destinations beginning around 470, visited by many, including Sidonius Apollinaris (430-489), who was a Gallo-Roman diplomat, a bishop and a poet.Today, visitors to Moustiers Ste Marie in Provence, France can climb the same steep path that thousands of pilgrims have travelled over the centuries and along the way will pass the 12 Stations of the Cross. When the ancient Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel is reached, (it can take ... continue below the picture...

... over an hour) the magnificent view of the hills and valleys of the Alpes de Haute and Lac Ste Croix will take one's breath away - if there is any left after the climb.The 12th Century Chapel and belfry of Notre dame de Beauvoir in the village of Moustiers Ste Marie, Alpes de Haute, Provence, France, Europe.