• Historic site and monument

The Devil of Bessans

At Bessans, sculpture is a tradition that is more than four centuries old. Rouets and cattails, salt hens, wooden toys, statues, crosses ... abound. The most famous of the sculptures is the devil, the emblem of Bessans, whose origin dates from 1857.

Historic site and monument The Devil of Bessans Bessans

About

Bessans (73480)
Animals allowed

In 1857, there was a conflict between the parish priest and a cantor, Étienne Vincendet. The latter, who must have had a rebellious and facetious spirit, sculpted a devil carrying a priest in his arms and placed the object under the window of the religious. The priest brings the work back to the window of its creator. He starts again, and the merry-go-round continues until the sculptor, weary, abandons the game. The figurine remains on a corner of the window where a tourist notices it and buys it. An unusual business had just been born.

    1 5

    Prices

    Free access.

    Reception

    Animals allowed

    Opening

    All year round, daily.

    Services
    • Pets welcome
    Equipments
    • Parking

    Access

    Place du village 73480 Bessans

    • Accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs
    Information update on 01/03/2024 by Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourisme