In 1526 one of the Waldensian barbes brought back to the Alps news of religious developments in Europe. This was followed by a period of exchange whereby Protestant communities shared ideas with the Waldenses. Protestants encouraged the Waldenses to sponsor the first translation of the Bible from the original languages into French. Printed in 1535, it was later known as the Olivétan Bible. Ironically, though, most Waldenses could not understand French.

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Waldenses sponsored the translation of the 1535 Olivétan Bible

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Bible: © Cliché Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris