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.
In 1489, fifty-two family leaders from Vailly assembled to establish this chapel and obtained land from the Carthusian monks at Vallon monastery for its construction. The building took until 1518 to complete, reflecting the sustained commitment of local families to this undertaking.
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.
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