Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Hermones, Religious chapel in Vailly, France

Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Hermones is a small chapel perched on a rocky outcrop called Miribel at about 1000 meters elevation, measuring roughly 9 meters long and 6 meters wide. The building sits humbly within the surrounding forest and alpine grasslands, emphasizing its isolated location.

On 9 June 1489, after Sunday mass, the 52 heads of family of Vailly met under syndic, priest Louis Bubouloz and notary Jacques d'Anthy, and decided to build a chapel to the Virgin on land given by the Carthusians of Vallon. Wars and epidemics delayed work, and the building was finished only in 1517. Bishop Pierre Farfein required the founding acts in 1518, and the first mass was said on 2 July 1519.

The chapel holds deep religious meaning for the local community through annual pilgrimages that draw visitors during summer and early autumn months. People gather here to pray and experience a sense of shared faith in this remote location.

Reaching the chapel involves hiking from Vailly town hall through forest and alpine pastures, following yellow trail markings that transition to red and white stripes as you climb. The journey is moderate in difficulty with mountain terrain, so sturdy footwear and steady pace are needed for the elevation gain.

A Way of the Cross with individual stations runs alongside the chapel, dating back to 1842 and still visible today for those who look closely. Each station bears the name of a local family who donated funds or materials toward its creation, making it a record of community support.