Sentier des Oratoires (petite boucle) – Randonnée depuis Besse-en-Oisans
Discover the oratories of Besse-en-Oisans! Cross the mountain pastures and enjoy a unique panorama of the Grandes Rousses before reaching the charming little hamlet of Bonnefin!
A leaflet is available at the Tourist Office!
A leaflet is available at the Tourist Office!
An oratory is a small building dedicated to the worship of a saint represented by a statuette, a cross or a simple plaque.
In Oisans, the oratories, chapels and crosses represent a remarkable heritage.
These buildings, numerous in the commune of Besse were built by locals mainly in the 19th century.
Their origin is linked to the harsh living conditions of the inhabitants of Besse due to climatic hazards and epidemics (particularly plague).
These places of devotion were erected in various locations to invoke divine protection. Places of prayer or thanksgiving, peasants placed offerings there in the hope of benefiting in return from the protection of the Saint to whom the place was dedicated.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Parking: Sainte-Anne car park at the entrance to the Village (altitude: 1530m)
Departure: Main Street of Besse in Oisans, on the left just after the Tourist Office (yellow and green signs)
Elevation: 450 m
Duration (loop): 2h30
Distance (loop): 5,8 km
Average level
ROUTE
Park at the entrance to the village of Besse-en-Oisans. Note that the Saint-Antoine oratory is located further down the road, so you can stop on the way there if you wish.
Enter the village and immediately after the tourist office, on your left, take the small cobbled alley (calade).
The path first passes in front of the chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. Then, along a fairly steep path that crosses the road several times, continue to the sources of the Cuchet (7m of D+). Turn right to make a detour to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste oratory and then to Notre-Dame de Cuchet at the level of the old hamlet of Cuchet. You will have a clear view of the village of Besse-in-Oisans.
Turn around, then at the intersection with the path that comes from the springs, continue straight to catch up with the track. Then take the path that runs along the ridge (you will not be on the ridge, but next to it. Be careful: you must not leave the path). As you follow the ridge, you may be lucky enough to observe birds of prey in full flight.
Arriving at the Saint-Sébastien oratory, the highest point of the hike (1934m) you can admire a panorama of the Ferrand Valley and the Grandes Rousses glaciers! To go back down, take the track towards the Saint-François-Régis Oratory.
Your route then reaches the hamlet of Bonnefin and its pretty chapel. Cross the hamlet and join the track which descends towards Besse-en-Oisans. You will then pass by the oratories of Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Europe before reaching the village.
TO SEE ON THE COURSE
Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Saint Sebastian Oratory
Hamlet and Chapel of Bonnefin
Various oratories and crosses along the route
TO SEE NEARBY
– The discovery trail: Before the Saint-François-Régis oratory, you can turn left to pick up the Grande Boucle du Sentier des Oratoire and go through a portion of the discovery trail! Explanatory panels on heritage have been placed all along this trail to allow you to learn more about Bessat and mountain heritage!
– The Departmental House of the Alps of Besse : this museum talks about pastoral life, the shepherd's profession, working with sheepdogs, the natural wealth of the mountain pastures of the Ferrand Valley and the Besse of old.
TO KNOW
– The Ferrand Valley Tourist Office located at Besse-en-Oisans provides a leaflet and a map that locate all the oratories and chapels in the village. The route described here does not exactly follow the numbering in the leaflet, but it will help you follow our instructions.
In Oisans, the oratories, chapels and crosses represent a remarkable heritage.
These buildings, numerous in the commune of Besse were built by locals mainly in the 19th century.
Their origin is linked to the harsh living conditions of the inhabitants of Besse due to climatic hazards and epidemics (particularly plague).
These places of devotion were erected in various locations to invoke divine protection. Places of prayer or thanksgiving, peasants placed offerings there in the hope of benefiting in return from the protection of the Saint to whom the place was dedicated.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Parking: Sainte-Anne car park at the entrance to the Village (altitude: 1530m)
Departure: Main Street of Besse in Oisans, on the left just after the Tourist Office (yellow and green signs)
Elevation: 450 m
Duration (loop): 2h30
Distance (loop): 5,8 km
Average level
ROUTE
Park at the entrance to the village of Besse-en-Oisans. Note that the Saint-Antoine oratory is located further down the road, so you can stop on the way there if you wish.
Enter the village and immediately after the tourist office, on your left, take the small cobbled alley (calade).
The path first passes in front of the chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. Then, along a fairly steep path that crosses the road several times, continue to the sources of the Cuchet (7m of D+). Turn right to make a detour to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste oratory and then to Notre-Dame de Cuchet at the level of the old hamlet of Cuchet. You will have a clear view of the village of Besse-in-Oisans.
Turn around, then at the intersection with the path that comes from the springs, continue straight to catch up with the track. Then take the path that runs along the ridge (you will not be on the ridge, but next to it. Be careful: you must not leave the path). As you follow the ridge, you may be lucky enough to observe birds of prey in full flight.
Arriving at the Saint-Sébastien oratory, the highest point of the hike (1934m) you can admire a panorama of the Ferrand Valley and the Grandes Rousses glaciers! To go back down, take the track towards the Saint-François-Régis Oratory.
Your route then reaches the hamlet of Bonnefin and its pretty chapel. Cross the hamlet and join the track which descends towards Besse-en-Oisans. You will then pass by the oratories of Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Europe before reaching the village.
TO SEE ON THE COURSE
Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Saint Sebastian Oratory
Hamlet and Chapel of Bonnefin
Various oratories and crosses along the route
TO SEE NEARBY
– The discovery trail: Before the Saint-François-Régis oratory, you can turn left to pick up the Grande Boucle du Sentier des Oratoire and go through a portion of the discovery trail! Explanatory panels on heritage have been placed all along this trail to allow you to learn more about Bessat and mountain heritage!
– The Departmental House of the Alps of Besse : this museum talks about pastoral life, the shepherd's profession, working with sheepdogs, the natural wealth of the mountain pastures of the Ferrand Valley and the Besse of old.
TO KNOW
– The Ferrand Valley Tourist Office located at Besse-en-Oisans provides a leaflet and a map that locate all the oratories and chapels in the village. The route described here does not exactly follow the numbering in the leaflet, but it will help you follow our instructions.
