The Gothic bell tower, visible from afar, has watched over the village for centuries. It marks the rhythm of life for the inhabitants with the hours, calls to prayer and mass, and ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.
The monumental Gothic bell tower, dated 1492 on its sloped base, is characteristic of Alpine art. It is comparable to the great bell towers of the cathedrals of Notre-Dame du Glarier in Sion (1469-1499) in Valais and Saint-Just-de-Suse in Piedmont (1481). All built at the same time, they present an identical silhouette. The Saint-Etienne bell tower is decorated with arcading surmounted by cog-tooth friezes. They cut out long recessed panels pierced with bays on four floors, those of the bell floor being trigeminal. The corners of the tower, from which zoomorphic gargoyles spring, extend into turrets. The spire was rebuilt in 1669 (date shown on the base of the tower).
Its construction, made of "cargneule" cut stone, is striking due to the juxtaposition of its levels. On the southwest corner, you can see a stone with a carved cross, and below it, another with a strange round iron inclusion.
Pricing
Free access.
Opening periods
All year round, daily.
