The Archives of the Pays des Écrins
The archives of the Pays des Écrins
Here, history is written in brown ink on rough parchment. Since the fourteenth century, the valleys of the Pays des Écrins have preserved an impressive amount of archives. What for? Because at the time, the villages were self-governing. The lords are far away, so the inhabitants make their own decisions, and for them to count, they have to be written. The result: piles of carefully recorded deliberations, contracts, sales, notarial deeds…
Well-kept secrets since the fourteenth century
Roman law, which was very present in the region, encouraged this culture of writing. Every transaction, every commitment goes before a notary. The famous ( original) and large (executory copies) minutes accumulate over the centuries.
Since the Revolution, notaries have had to keep their archives. And since 2008, documents over 75 years old have been added to the departmental archives of the Hautes-Alpes. Suffice to say that it is a real gold mine for those curious about the past. Some pieces date back to the fourteenth century, such as this treaty of 1509 signed by Louis XI in favour of the Waldensians of the Hautes-Alpes. Not trivial!
Diving into the archives: when rafters get impatient
Read these archives? Not so simple. Ancient writing, legal formulas… This is where the work of the historian, trained in palaeography, comes in. A page dated 1611, for example, plunges us into the life of the rafters who came from Arles. Their mission: to guide the larch logs on the Durance. Problem: the lumberjacks of Embrun are late, their oxen are sick, the water is dropping… And time is running out!
Where can I consult the archives?
Departmental Archives of the Hautes-Alpes – Gap
Original documents, notarial minutes, old treaties… To go back in time, it’s here!
