Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church

The church was built around the 11th century. It is the oldest monument in the area and has been a listed building since 1959. With the Pentitents Chapel it forms a beautiful architectural complex at the heart of the village of La Grave.
This magnificent Lombard Romanesque building has been placed under the protection of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption. It is surrounded by a cemetery where the tombs are dominated by typical La Grave crosses. The triangle in the center of the crosses represents the Holy Trinity, and the circle the oneness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The cemetery is a temporary resting place. When the tour of the cemetery is complete, the brass heart placed on each cross is hung on a panel on the church wall.

The church was formerly known as Notre-Dame des Basses-Arènes. It has undergone many changes over the centuries. In the 15th century, the church was rebuilt, retaining certain architectural features, such as the 11th-century cul-de-four vaulted choir. The church was damaged during the Wars of Religion (1557) by Lesdiguières' troops. Major repairs were carried out in the early 17th century (1606). The nave was altered several times. When it was restored in 1856, the original barrel vaulting was replaced by a tufa vault, and the roof was raised.

The Pénitents blancs chapel, located behind the church, was built in the 17th century. At the time, it was completed by the chapels of the Hières and Chazelet penitent brotherhoods, which have now disappeared, and the Villar d'Arène chapel, which is still standing. Only the chapels of the main towns have survived. Religious fervour is evident even in the remote mountain pastures, where dozens of oratories and mission crosses can be discovered along the way.