Église Saint-Michel de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Baroque church in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

The Église Saint-Michel is a Savoyard Baroque church in central Chamonix, with a pale rendered facade, a central arched doorway under a circular window, and a bulbous-based tower carrying a steep grey spire topped by a cross and lantern. The present facade dates from 1864, in Second Empire style, replacing a Directoire portico of 1840. Inside, the main altar retable was built from 1837 around the reused statue of Saint Michael, and the twelve consecration crosses mark the 1714 dedication.

A church existed here by 1119, built by monks of the Chamonix Priory; it was destroyed with the town in the 1522 fire. The present church was rebuilt from 1702 under Jean La Vougna, with construction between 1707 and 1709, and consecrated on 8 September 1714 by the Bishop of Annecy. A 1758 fire destroyed the roof, bell tower and furnishings; the facade was replaced in 1864 in Second Empire style.

The church is dedicated to Saint Michael, the archangel venerated in mountain regions across Europe. Inside, the carefully arranged religious furnishings and artworks reveal how the community has traditionally expressed faith through its visual surroundings.

The church stands on its square in central Chamonix, a short walk from the town's main streets. The facade faces the square, where the potted plants line the low stone parapet beside the entrance. The Fête des Guides ceremony is held on this square every 15 August, drawing the valley's guides and their families.

The bell tower holds four bells. The largest, cast in 1845 by the Paccard brothers of Quintal, weighs 1,500 kg and sounds a D; it recast a 1761 bell that had already been recast in 1815. The other three, cast in 1822 by Vallier & Gautier of Briançon, weigh 1,050, 700 and 600 kg.