Église Saint-Jacques en Tarentaise de Tignes, Catholic church in Tignes 1800, France
The Église Saint-Jacques en Tarentaise is a Catholic church in Tignes that combines Romanesque architectural elements with Baroque altarpieces adorned with gold leaf from the 17th and 18th centuries. The building displays a blend of classical religious styles that richly furnish the sacred space.
The building was constructed between 1950 and 1952 as a replica of the original Romanesque structure now submerged beneath Lake Chevril's waters. Reconstruction became necessary because valley flooding submerged the original site.
The church houses furnishings from the original building, including an 18th-century main altar and altars dedicated to the Rosary and Saint Joseph. These objects show how the community preserved its religious identity by saving pieces from its earlier church.
The church welcomes visitors mainly during the summer season with limited opening hours, so checking access times in advance is recommended. The location in Tignes is easily reached by public transport and roads, especially during summer months.
The church carries the name of Saint James of Assyria, recognized as the first traditional bishop and evangelist of the Tarentaise region. This lesser-known story connects the sacred space to a local spiritual tradition reaching back centuries.
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