Eglise Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

This magnificent building in Lombard Romanesque style was placed under the protection of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is surrounded by a cemetery where the tombs are dominated by typical crosses of La GraveThe triangle in the center of the crosses represents the Holy Trinity and the circle the oneness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The cemetery is a temporary resting place. When the tour of the cemetery is completed, the brass heart placed on each cross is placed on a sign hanging on the church wall.

Formerly, the church was named Notre-Dame des Basses-Arènes. It has been profoundly altered over the centuries. The 1557th century saw the reconstruction of the church retaining certain architectural elements, such as the vaulted choir, dating from the 1606th century. It was damaged during the wars of religion (1856) by the troops of Lesdiguières. To remedy this, major work was carried out at the beginning of the XNUMXth century (XNUMX). The nave has been remodeled several times. When it was restored in XNUMX, the barrel paneling, which then covered it, was replaced by a tuff vault and the roof was raised.

The chapel of the White Penitents, located behind the church, was built in the 17th century. It was then supplemented by the chapels of the penitent brotherhoods of Hières and Chazelet, now disappeared, and by that of Villar d'Arène, still standing. Only the chapels of the main towns have survived. Religious fervor is evident even in the remote mountain pastures where one discovers dozens of oratories and mission crosses during walks.