Description
This chapel on the Aravis pass is dedicated to Saint Anne, patron saint of travelers. Erected in 1650, it was rebuilt around 1765 by the parish priest of La Giettaz, and although it is located in the commune of La Clusaz, it is maintained by both parishes.
Dedicated to Saint Anne, it served as a refuge for travelers caught in bad weather as they crossed the pass.
A visit in 1766 described it as having no bell, no ornaments or chalice, and no door.
Its founder was Noble Pierre François de Riddes de Belletour, Seigneur de Flumet.
He had asked the parish priest of La Clusaz to hold an annual mass on Saint Anne's Day. So, on Saint Anne's Day, July 26, many people arrived for the vogue.
That said, this same crowd had already partied the day before, on the occasion of Saint-Jacques on the Beauregard plateau, at a place called Les Vaunessins. It is reported that there were numerous outbursts.... On March 6, 1751, the bishop forbade the celebration of mass on Saint Anne's Day. The Aravis vogue came to an end...
However, the parishioners of La Clusaz and La Giettaz have long organized processions in times of disaster, or to ask for rain in times of drought.
The inhabitants of La Giettaz and La Clusaz have long disputed the boundaries of the 2 communes.
On which territory did the chapel stand?
Neither arguments nor discussions found an answer, so Mother Nature decided - and this is not a pun! - and the problem was settled once and for all.
Indeed, one fine morning, everyone could make out a long furrow running from the chapel to the foot of the cliff. Detecting this as "the mark of the hand of God, or perhaps of Saint Anne", the inhabitants of the two communes ceased their quarrelling and took part in the pilgrimage to mark the feast of Saint Anne.
"Let's keep going. Slow as we go, we'll come a long way."
