EXCURSIONS IN ARDECHE  

In the heart of Natural reserve
Regional of the Mounts of Ardèche

MUSEE OF PROTESTANT VIVARAIS

Text largely inspired by the collection of association "Inheritance Huguenot d' Ardèche"
and we thank the museum for the Protestantism of Pranles for the photographs

Fortified house of XV ^2nd century , ardèchois type, built on the slope with staircases and course interior, opened on the valley of Eyrieux, the Alpes and Dauphiné. But also native house of Etienne Durand, who will at the height undergo 14 years of imprisonment of B rescou of 1729 to 1743.
Her son Pierre Durand, pasteur of the desert*, restorer of the reformed churches of Vivarais, was hung in Montpellier in 1732 to have blessed marriages, to have baptized children and have held of the assemblies and to have preached the gospel .
His daughter Marie Durand, was imprisoned with the tower of Canstance** to Aigues-Mortes to force her brother to give up her pastoral ministry. Refusing to adjure its faith, il will resist and remain 38 years imprisoned (of 1730 to 1768).

Around this family is concretized the testimony of Huguenots vivarois XVIII ^2nd century.This is why was installed, in their house, the Museum of Protestantism vivarois. By taking their freedom with regard to the royal decrees which forced them with abjuration, by their nonviolent resistance, they the ways of the freedom of conscience opened, but in a context of order, "because they were subjected to the authority of the king in all, except with what was prejudicial with the faith and the church". The documents preserved in this house illustrate the price which its inhabitants had to pay to remain faithful to their convictions..

* Désert : period of clandestinity of the protestants after the revocation of Edict of Nantes
** Turn ofConstance : Located at Aigues-Mortes in theGard, it was the prison of the protestan women of Vivarais and the Cevennese

Text largely inspired by the collection of Association "Patrimoine Huguenot d'Ardèche"
and we thank the Museum of the Protestantism of Pranles for the photographs