Chapelle Saint-Jacques d'Orelle, Religious chapel in Orelle, France
Chapelle Saint-Jacques d'Orelle is a small chapel located in the village of Orelle in the French Alps. The structure features windows decorated with scallop shell motifs and was built using local larch wood and stone materials.
The chapel began as a small place of worship blessed by Reverend Urbain Albert in 1670. It was later expanded into a proper chapel in 1730, taking on the form it has today.
The chapel takes its name from Saint James, whose symbol appears as a scallop shell in the windows. It continues to serve local residents as a place for prayer and community gatherings.
The chapel can be visited from the outside and is easily accessible in summer months. Taking time to walk around helps visitors understand how the building sits within the mountain setting.
During World War II, the chapel was repaired using materials from local factories and funded by donations from residents. This shows how the community supported preserving the building even during difficult times.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
