La Faverge: mountain pastures and woodland

Built in the wake of a plague outbreak in 1618, this chapel is dedicated to St Roch, St Sebastian and St Fabian.
St Roch and St Sebastian, commonly invoked against the plague which struck Europe during this period, have remained the village's guardians. They are depicted in the sculptures and paintings of the altar, erected in 1874. In 2005-2006, the rough plaster on the main façade was restored according to the traditional method of old, and a new sundial was painted.
To the left of the chapel is an intriguing feature: a monolithic carved stone cross which would seem to predate the Christian era. It may have been used in reverence of Janus, for on the back are two sculpted heads symbolising Day and Night. In the middle is a hollow square, probably used as a box for offerings.

In summer months, the chalet and barn of La Faverge are used by the agricultural partnership GAEC Saint Guérin, which rears dairy cows.
In days gone by, the long barn could house up to 150 or so cows. They would be brought in at night, in bad weather or during heatwaves. The stream flowed across the building from one side to the other to make it easier to clean. The shepherd (also known as the séracier, gouverneur or pachonnier) was responsible for milking the cows twice a day, once at half-past three in the morning and again at half-past two in the afternoon. The milk was then brought to the chalet, "l'arbé", in milk churns called bouilles, which were carried on the workers' backs. It would then be turned into cheese and Sérac, which is a type of whey cheese.

Thanks to its prime location on a rocky promontory, this Gothic Revival-style chapel has become a landmark of the hamlet of Le Breuil.
It was built using funds donated by the village community and above all owing to the generosity of one of its most prominent locals: His Grace André Charvaz (1793-1870), who rose to become Archbishop of Genoa from 1852 to 1869.
Building work began in 1864 and ended in 1866. Myriad statues grace the interior, and the two women saints are depicted in the stained-glass windows.

This artistic trail is dotted with exhibits by local and other artists. An outdoor art gallery with stone, timber or even straw showpieces! Highly original, they look right at home in the landscape.
Choose from two Land'ART circular routes:
Family-friendly trail around the lake: 800m
A longer trail going further afield, to the hamlets of Le Villard then Le Pradier (with stunning views over the peaks, and a goat farm among other delights): 4.5km