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List of of all Oratories and Crosses around Chamonix

Oratories & Crosses around Chamonix

Religion has obviously played a very big part in the history of the Chamonix Valley and the surrounding regions. There are a large number of Christian churches and chapels spread out all over region. Most of these are French Catholic but there are a few exceptions. Besides the churches and chapels there are also many oratories, or Oratoires in French. These little places of worship were often placed on paths and intersections near or inside settlements to provide protection to both the local inhabitants and travelers passing through. The common design is a small stone structure with a niche which contains the statue of a saint or other religious person. It also happened quite often that a religious site will start out as an oratory and get replaced by a church or chapel over time. Besides the oratories, you will also find many crosses of varying sizes and materials all around Chamonix Valley. Often these will have an inscription with the date written on it. One common design will feature the words "Mission" followed by a year.

A few noteworthy ones are the Oratoire Vieux Servoz in the old town of Servoz. This one is a bit hidden but its absolutely wonderful. The Cross along the Voie Romain is special because it has an inscripture telling the story of how an old woodcutter fell down the cliff and was saved by the river below and thanks the rains that year for saving his life. The Cross at Les Saix Blancs comes with incredible views of the Vallorcine valley.

Les Saix Blancs

10

The Best

Wooden cross mounted at an amazing view point over Vallorcine

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1660m

Croix de Fer

10

The Best

Large metal cross mounted on a rocky view point near the Tete de Balme

Nearest Town

Le Tour

Altitude

2343m

Oratoire Vieux Servoz

9

Exceptional

This small Oratory in the center of Vieux Servoz is a hidden treasure

Nearest Town

Servoz

Altitude

827m

Oratoires des Notre Dame

8

Very Good

A total of 15 oratories which surround the Notre Dame de la Gorge

Nearest Town

Les Contamines

Altitude

1200m

Cross at Le Chenavier

8

Very Good

Wooden cross at a chalet at nice elevated location near Le Tour

Nearest Town

Le Tour

Altitude

1518m

Cross at the Voie Romain

8

Very Good

Small cross with a text engraved in a big rock along the Voie Romain

Nearest Town

Les Contamines

Altitude

1200m

Oratoire a Montivon

8

Very Good

Little Oratory on the trail up to Montivon above Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

Nearest Town

Saint Gervais

Altitude

1153m

Oratoire St Antoine

8

Very Good

Beautiful Oratory near the Pontet Leisure Park in the Montjoie Valley

Nearest Town

Les Contamines

Altitude

1187m

Cross at Le Siseray

7

Good

Wooden Cross along the Chemin des Diligences at Le Siseray

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1265m

Cross at La Poya

7

Good

Big Wooden across at the hamlet of La Poya near Vallorcine

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude

1383m

Small Cross at Tre le Champ

7

Good

Small Cross on a side road of the trail in Tre-le-Champ

Nearest Town

Argentiere

Altitude

1399m

Cross at Le Planet

7

Good

Metal cross on a stone column in the hamlet of Le Planet above Argentiere

Nearest Town

Argentiere

Altitude

1382m

Oratoire des Bois

7

Good

Little Oratory or Shrine located in Les Bois

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Altitude

1086m

Oratoire Moussoux

7

Good

Small Oratory on the Route des Moussoux on the northern slope of Chamonix

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Altitude

1089m

Oratoire Les Tines

7

Good

Small statue of Mother Mary in a stone column in Les Tines

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Altitude

1098m

Cross at Chalets de Pormenaz

6

Above Average

Big Wooden Cross on a crest at the Chalets de Pormenaz

Nearest Town

Servoz

Altitude

1923m

Oratoire Les Mouilles

5

Average

Small Oratory on the trail between Les Mouilles and Vaudagne

Nearest Town

Servoz

Altitude

922m

Cross at Tre le Champ

5

Average

Big Wooden Cross in the center of Tre-le-Champ le Bas

Nearest Town

Argentiere

Altitude

1402m

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