Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Chapel

The first chapel was built in 1750 on La Chal plateau at La Bonne Fontaine, following the villagers' wish to express their gratitude to the Virgin Mary for having protected them from the unprecedented snowfall between February and June 1749; hence its name (Our Lady of the Snows).But another harsh winter left the chapel, which was in any case too small and remote from the village, worse for wear, and the decision was made to rebuild it in 1889 where it now stands, closer to the villages.In the 1920s, however, the structure was once again weakened, probably owing to detonations in the coalmine located below the chapel where operations had ramped up during World War I: from 15 August, religious services and pilgrimages had to be held outside until it was fully restored in 1970-1971. The 15 August pilgrimage still takes place to this day incidentally.Since the chapel stands on the Le Châtelard hillock, the views over the surrounding valley alone make it well worth the trip.The chapel can only be viewed from the outside.