Originally the Chapel of the Penitents, built in 1550, the building became the village’s parish church in 1579, dedicated to Saint James the Greater.



Over the centuries, the church underwent several alterations. In 1623, a second nave was added to its right-hand side, primarily to house the tombs of the family of Thomas de Pierrefeu.



In response to population growth, the building was enlarged once more in 1727 and its bell tower was rebuilt. The church was then consecrated on 7 April by Joseph Doulonne, a priest from the town of Toulon.



Following several restorations in the 18th and 19th centuries, and a reconstruction in 1784, the church retains the general appearance we recognise today. Its square bell tower, topped by a campanile, is one of its most striking architectural features.



The interior of the church houses a rich religious heritage. Visitors can, in particular, admire beautiful ancient statues in stone or papier-mâché, gilded with gold leaf, as well as several ex-votos from the Sainte-Croix Chapel, bearing witness to the fervour and devotion of the local people over the generations. The church also houses a recently restored organ, which helps to enhance this place steeped in history.


The church’s history is also revealed in its surroundings. In 1983, during the reconstruction of the square’s retaining wall, numerous human remains were unearthed. These remains bear witness to the presence of the village’s old cemetery, which once stood in front of the church. It had been moved as early as 1717 to the neighbourhood known as ‘San-Peiré’, or Saint-Pierre.


Through its architecture, its works of art and the many testimonies of faith it preserves, the Church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur remains today a valuable testament to the village’s history and heritage.