03.17.08

Notre-Dame du Charmaix: Alpine Chapel

Posted in Travel at 11:42 pm by rachel

Within walking distance from the slopes in Valfréjus sits a hidden chapel that’s been on this site for six centuries. The first construction of Notre-Dame du Charmaix was in 1401, built to house a Black Madonna, and although the chapel has been through many transformations, its essential character seems to remain timeless.

The view of the chapel from the path doesn’t look like much more than a covered bridge. The main chapel area is under the covered area and to the right.

The chapel is closed most of the time, especially now that the interior is being restored.

The view on the inside, with the black Virgin on the altar.

Many of the paintings inside were old. There were also embroidered works that were in recognition of an answered prayer. The one on the far right had a date on it from the 1880s.

Plaques on the outside are a slightly more contemporary recognition ritual. Many of these date from the first half of the twentieth century.

This old-fashioned iron “tronc” is where you can drop coins and it goes into a large, secure area deep inside.  Don’t forget to leave a donation to the chapel on your way out!

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