The Chapel of Notre-Dame de Miséricorde (Our Lady of Mercy, XIIth century), erected on a huge rock at the entrance to the village, as well as the Parish Church with the diamond bell-tower (1875) Barrême goes back to the very earliest times. The former fortified village, standing on the Saint-Jean hill, was destroyed by fire in 1040. Only the Saint John Chapel was saved. Though restored several times, one can still see some Xth century remains. The new town came into being in the valley.

According to a witch trial, the eventful moments of which have been conveyed by Jean Loredan in Un grand procès de sorcellerie (1912), Louis Gaufredi, on 13 July 1608, "hit the waters of the Asse with his terrible wand, causing a flood in Barrême" He was burned alive on 1st May 1611. Ever since, a procession headed by the inhabitants takes place every year on 13 July, to keep the village from having such happenings