The church

 Stained glass for "Notre Dame des Sablons" Claude Viallat - Bernard Dhonneur

A witness of Saint Louis' embarkation for the Crusades, the church "Notre Dame des Sablons" is the oldest monument of the town. It's dedicated to the Virgin Mary, named Notre Dame des Sablons in reference to sandy marshes around the city. Built in gothic style, it was transformed through the centuries. In 1638, its steeple collapsed. The church was closed from 1738 to 1744, date of restoration : Elevation of the bell tower - change of direction - the shrine took narthex's place. During the Revolution, the church became "decadaire": temple, barracks, salt stockroom. It came back to the church in 1804. Its restoration inside began during the sixties. The church found the beauty of its stones again.

Aigues-Mortes is marked by the treasure of its architectural heritage. The ramparts of the XIII century are a real setting for the city, and the church Notre Dame des Sablons is an account of the historic treasure of Saint Louis' city. The alliance between historic heritage and contemporary art set off such treasures. Notre Dame des Sablons didn't have stained glass. Do we have to copy or for the first time to marry the twentieth century art, almost twenty first, with the thirteenth ? Nowadays, the stained glass of Claude Viallat give to this building extraordinary colors allowing stone to live each moment of the day. René Jeannot, Aigues - Mortes' mayor.