A series of trials then began. Two among many others can be mentioned. The one of the "beard" Griot, whose testimony conserved in the archives provides precious information about the life of the beards, their training and their beliefs, or the one of Colin Pellenc of Plan d'Apt whose mill was confiscated, handed over to Catholics and Pellenc burned alive in 1540.

It was after reprisal measures had been taken by the Waldenses (Among them inhabitants of Merindol) that the Parliament of Aix pronounced in 1540 the notorious "Decree of Merindol", a decree condemning those found guilty to be burned alive while their property was to be confiscated and their families banished.

In order to be executed that decree required an authorisation from the King. The Waldenses defended themselves, using their influence. It was only in 1545 that the ageing King Francois 1st finally consented his signature, a signature long waited by the Baron of Oppede, an unrelenting enemy of the Waldenses and President of the Parliament of Aix.

The Baron assembled troops, mainly mercenaries on their way back from the King Francois 1st war in Spain. The punitive expedition started from Pertuis on April 16, 1545 under the command of Captain Polin. Eleven villages were destroyed, "executed" within 6 days: It started with the villages of the Aigues region ( Cabrieres, La Motte, Peypin, Saint Martin de la Brasque). Then came the turn of Villelaure, Lourmarin, and La Roque D'Antheron on the other side of the Durance River, then Merindol, from where a majority escaped into the Luberon. On the Sunday 19 April 1945, the troops, concentrated in Cavaillon, were reinforced by militia of the Pope, under the command of Captain Mormoyron. They "executed" Cabrieres d'Avignon, the only village of the Comtat Venaissin that shared the fate of the others (500 dead, in the castle and the church where the Waldenses were entrenched under the command of Eustache Marron), Murs, were a group of twenty Waldenses died, smoked out in the Barigoule cave and, finally, Lacoste.

Hundred of Waldenses were killed, often under atrocious circumstances, their property confiscated and the survivors sent to the galleys in Marseille.

The King Henry 2nd put in trial the responsible of that massacre in 1551. During the hearing, it was mentioned that 763 houses, 89 stables and 31 warehouses were destroyed. The exact death toll could not be established precisely, the figure was put at "more than 3.000".

The memory of that bloody week persists till date in the mind of the inhabitants of the Luberon, and in some commemorative monuments.

Many thanks to Mr. Laurent Daniel from Merindol for this page