Hiking " Circuits des chapelles"
Description
Circuit traversing the very rich religious heritage of the village. On the path, church, chapels, oratories, crosses and the famous cave of Maupas: imitation of the cave of Lourdes.
1st step : Saint-Ours church. It was built by François Giransli between 1848 and 1851 on the site of a smaller and much older church in order to rebuild a larger and more imposing one. Some Bernolanders call it the "Chateau Fort", probably because of its massive appearance and its dungeon-like bell tower. The interior of the church has three altars, the one on the right is dedicated to Saint Anthony and the one on the left to Mary Mother of God. In the center, the main altar is dedicated to St. Bear, always patron and protector of the valley since the origin of the first Christian community.
2nd stage : oratory of Songeon. This oratory was built by the inhabitants of the village after enormous floods, in honor of the Virgin Mary, as a sign of gratitude for the protection of the houses of this hamlet. In 1870, the Buttay families built a small stone chapel in the center of the hamlet, with a small bell tower topped by a cross and a rooster, dedicated first to Saint Philomène and later to Saint Joseph. 4th step: chapel of the Visitation of Creusaz. This chapel located in the center of the hamlet of Creusaz at 1131 meters of altitude, carries the date of 1841 engraved on the external font. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.
5th step: the cross of Charmet. It marks the place of the plague cemetery. It is a work of ironwork made with old-fashioned blacksmith's tools. It represents the supplicated Christ.
6th step: the oratory chapel of the "Peillex Gainneraz" at Maupas. Located on the banks of the Ugine, this oratory chapel remains an interesting enigma as to its origin and history. Until the 1940s, it was the site of annual processions and prayers. It is currently the private property of a family whose direct descendants no longer live in Bernex. This chapel is perhaps the testimony of the former location of the first church which was abandoned after the passage of the plague and rebuilt further down the valley. This place was nicknamed Malpasset or Maupas, which means "bad passage" or "bad past".
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
The Saint Ours Church
This church is dedicated to Saint-Ours from Aosta. Its architecture surprises in this charming Savoyard valley because it is pure Italian 1850 style reminiscent of the Tuscan basilicas. Free and open visit.The original church is cited as early as the 11th century and was located on an ancient Gallo-Roman site in Trossy. It was first mentioned between 1078 to 1202. The new Sardinian neo-classical style church, designed by the Annecy architect Eugène Dénarié, was built between 1847 and 1848 with a dome on a Latin cross floor plan. The entrance is through a door on the north side of the church. Free admission all year round.
Bar Restaurant l'Alpage
The Alpage restaurant is a mountain restaurant located at 1170m altitude at the Col de Creusaz, starting hiking Mont Benand. Savoyard specialties, traditional cuisine, banquets, group meals. Reservation recommended.
L'Ormeau
In a traditional atmosphere, L'ormeau and its team welcome you in a family and wooded setting facing the Dent d'Oche and the Mont César. Come and discover its gourmet menu and its local specialties all year longWelcome to L'Ormeau, our restaurant is a family story that began with Antoine and Marcelle, my grandparents, who built this place in the place of a family barn, our restaurant in 1971. Charming little restaurant located in the center of our beautiful village of Bernex and its ski resort, between Lake Geneva and the mountains, close to Evian les Bains, Thonon, the Valley of Abondance, our family welcomes you all year round in its warm, wooded decor, a warm and typical atmosphere. Its restaurant, its bar as well as a terrace with a panoramic view on the Dent d'Oche, the Mont César are waiting for you throughout the seasons to spend a pleasant moment with your family or friends. Discover the art of living in the mountains! Translated with www.deepl.com/translator (free version)
Date and time
- From 13/03/2024 to 30/11/2024
- From 13/03/2025 to 30/11/2025
Additional information
Updated by
Office de Tourisme Leman Mountains Explore - 21/07/2024
leman-mountains-explore.com
Report a problem
Reception conditions for animals
Pets allowed on a lead.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ Saint-Ours Church. At the cross on your left, take the path going up towards the hamlet of Songeon.
2/ Oratory of Songeon. Go back to the cross. Turn left and go straight ahead. At the intersection, take the left road towards Chez Buttay.
3/ Chapel of Saint Philomène and Saint Joseph. At the exit of the chapel, turn left and continue to climb up to the cross. Go straight on and take the "old road" that leads to Creusaz. Follow the road to the chapel, recognizable by its typical Chablais bell tower.
4/ Chapel of the Visitation of Creusaz. Possibility to go to the oratory and to the cross of Creusaz which is a few steps away from the chapel. Take the main road and go up to the parking of the restaurant "l'Alpage". Continue on the track below Mount Caesar, then at the entrance of the forest take the path on the right. Go down to the hamlet of Charmet, at the last crossroads, continue straight ahead to reach the main road. Turn left.
5/ The cross of Charmet. Continue on the road in the direction of the restaurant de la Chevrette and cross the bridge. Take the small path on the left to reach the chapel of Maupas.
6/ Chapel of the "Peillex Gainneraz" at Maupas, located on the banks of the Ugine. Take the road and go along it.
Open period
From 13/03 to 30/11.
Accessible outside the snowy period and depending on the weather conditions. Please check with the Tourist Office beforehand to find out the current access conditions.
Contact
Phone : 04 50 73 60 72
Email : bernex@ot-peva.com
