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baroque art
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Discover baroque heritage in Les Contamines-Montjoie and the surrounding Mont-Blanc district. Learn about the way our ancestors lived and worked and how they built these magnificent churches and chapels.
Baroque art originated in Italy at the turn of the XVIth Century. It rapidly became popular throughout Europe in all art forms: scumpture, painting, literature, architecture and music. It is characterized by an exaggeration of movement, over decorative, dramatic effects, tension, exuberance and sometimes pompous grandeur.
In the Savoie region religious monuments were the first works of Baroque art.
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THE MONUMENTS IN LES contamines-Montjoie
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SAINT Trinité church
The church was built by the Italian builder Domenico Gualino and completed in 1759, as shown on the four cast-iron tie rods at the corners of the façade. The church's interior remained unfinished at this time and its interior decoration dates from 1847. The spire was added in 1845.
The square bell-tower was built on a tower of the ancient Montjoie castle that guarded the entrance to the Bonhomme mountain pass. The porch roof informs us that the church is dedicated to the Holy-Trinity, an uncommon dedication for a church in this part of Europe.
The funds for its construction came mostly from emmigrants. The church survived the French Revolution, the annexation (of the Mont-Blanc departement ) and the Napoleonic wars without damage.
The secret of making the original tinplate scales has been lost, so the roofing has been renovated using with stainless steel.
The church was immortalized in 1802 by the famous english painter Turner.
Its most recent renovation was carried out by Edouard Borga in 1976.
Extract from “Les Contamines at the beginning of the century” by an amateur photographer, Dr. Ancelet, the first doctor to live in the village. |
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"An extremely ancient place of pilgrimage with a curious Baroque-style oratory, covered with Renaissance frescoes and gilt, in the purest tradition of Savoie's religious heritage..." wrote Roger Frison Roche in Mont-Blanc aux sept Vallées.
The adorable Church of Notre-Dame de la Gorge, a neat white chapel with a painted facade where many young ladies have dreamed of being wed, marks the end of the road and the start of mountain trails and footpaths.
It was rebuilt in 1699 by Jean de la Vougniaz, a master builder from Valsesia who had just finished the reconstruction of the church in Saint-Gervais.
In the XVIIIth century, Notre-Dame de la Gorge became the parish church for all the residents of the valley. But it was also a sanctuary with a strong spiritual influence, devoted to the cult of the Virgin Mary: from time immemorial, every year on August 15th, the pilgrimage to the Gorge draws a great congregation.
Finally, Notre-Dame de la Gorge is a place of prayer for those making the journey through the Col du Bonhomme. Many a traveller has crossed the threshold of this church either to say a prayer of thanksgiving after a safe journey, or to spend a few moments in prayer before the dreaded departure. |
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oratoricals
When one arrives at the Gorge, one discovers 14 small oratoricals (or chapels) that dot the path leading to the church.
They were built at the instigation of Father Gaillard in 1728, primarily to lend even more splendour to the Marian cult already established in this location. The Rosary comprises five “Joyful Mysteries”, five “Sorrowful Mysteries” and five “Glorious Mysteries” that commemorate the various stages of the life of the Virgin Mary |
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THE HOLY CHAPEL
Two hundred metres beyond the church at Notre Dame de la Gorge, a small rather remarkable chapel is perched on the side of the rockface. The primitive structure was located directly in line with the current chapel.
According to tradition, the first hermit to settle at the Gorge chose this spot. At the beginning of the Middle Ages the holy chapel became a highly prized place of pilgrimage for the inhabitants of the region.
Even today, for the Assumption on 15th August and on 8th September, the anniversary of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a procession is organized from the Church of Notre-Dame de la Gorge to the Holy Chapel. |
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discover thESE treasures ON FOOT
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THE baroQUE footpath
A 20 km itinerary on paths and minor roads between various baroque buildings from Combloux to Les Contamines-Montjoie.
Brochure available at the Tourist Office.
Discover local heritage in the superb Mont Blanc scenery.
A 20km marked trail between Combloux, Saint-Nicolas de Véroce and Notre Dame de la Gorge.
Booklet for sale at the Tourist Office
THE val montjoie footpath
The path runs up along the Bon Nant river from Le Fayet to Notre-Dame de la Gorge. Along the way, discover natural surroundings and the culture of the Montjoie valley. Admire chapels, churches and local architecture along the path.
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GUIDED visits
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OF THE village
Come and discover local architectural treasures : religious heritage, simple buildings, bridges and ruins. Learn more about the way of life in the past.
OF notre dame de la gorge
Visit the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge in the company of our local heritage guides. Notre Dame is a witness of the history and ancestral culture of both men and women living in the Montjoie valley in the past years.
ALONG THE BAROQUE FOOTPATH
Discover the secrets of the Baroque footpath. Consult the programme in your weekly entertainment guide.
Thursday - From Combloux to Saint Nicolas
Friday - From St Nicolas to Les Contamines
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Jeu
MIN 2°C
MAX 17°C
Ven
MIN 1°C
MAX 20°C
Sam
MIN 6°C
MAX 23°C
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