Church of St. Barthélémy: Free entry

The current church is an extended version of the mediaeval building and it has kept its half-domed chevet and a bell tower topped with a tufa spire, which is unusual in the Tarentaise Valley.The spire was built in 1732 by Pierre Martinet, master mason originally from Valsesia in the Piedmont Valley, which was a remarkable breeding-ground for artists in the Baroque era.
Jacques-Antoine Todesco, another Valsesia native, realised the main altarpiece, installed at the back of the chancel, in 1677. The concave wall and two lateral windows of the church's mediaeval layout imposed certain limits that meant the décor could not be extended to its conventional width. Nonetheless, the artist placed two large statues of St. Barthélémy and St. Grat on either side. These saints were invoked to protect the flock and to protect the sown seeds respectively. The painted tiles show St. Nicolas and St. Barthélémy and, above this, the latter's martyrdom - he is believed to have been burned alive and then crucified!
On the left of the church is the Rosary altarpiece, surrounded by the Mysteries, which are the 15 main events in the life of Mary and of Jesus. Opposite, on the right, you can see the altarpiece dedicated to St. Barbe. St. Anthony the Abbot, protector of donkeys, mules and pigs, is not far away.

Group bookings available on request:
david.dereani@fondation-facim.fr (+33 (0)4 79 60 58 99)
Documentation available in English and in French