Chapelle de la Vierge

1. The Virgin's Chapel

The Virgin's Chapel

You're now in front of the Chapelle de la Vierge. It was built in the 14th century, during the 100 Years' War, when the Dauphiné region became part of France.

Like the rest of the church, its decorations date from 1866 and are those visible today.

With a width of 6m00 and a depth of 5m45, its vault is 6m80 high. (cf. 1)

The wrought-iron fence, topped by a wooden rail, is embellished with the monogram "AM" for Ave Maria (cf. 2).

The entrance arch, 5.10 m wide and 6.40 m high, features a medallion painted with the inscription Ave Maria on the left pillar and Mater Christi (Mother of Christ) on the right (cf. 3 to 4 below).

5. White marble altar

Enter the chapel to discover the 19th-century white marble altar (cf. 5).
The lower part of the altar, known as the tomb, also bears the monogram "AM" in a four-lobed escutcheon, a reminder of the chapel's vocation to the Virgin (cf. 6).

The tabernacle door is a curiosity. Usually, two winged cherubs are found facing each other on the lid. In our case, we see them lifting the lid, as if to reveal the divine presence through the Tables of the Law contained within. (cf. 7)

The statue of the Virgin and Child, in polychrome and gilded wood, probably dates from the 19th century, but may be older according to some sources. You can admire the rendering of the drapery on the Virgin's tunic (cf. 8).

In the background, a trompe-l'œil motif demonstrates the perfect mastery of this technique by artists of the period.

The play of shadows in the upper part emphasizes the depth of perspective, while the whole is painted on a flat surface.
(cf. 9 below)

On the altar, eight brass candlesticks lit the chapel. Each side of their triangular base depicts a characteristic biblical scene: the Virgin and Child, Christ bearing his cross and an apostle carrying a Bible. (see 10 to 13 below)

14. Verrière "Tableau"

We now invite you to discover the stained glass window on your right. This is a "tableau" stained-glass window, i.e. a single scene is spread over two paired bays. It depicts St. Dominic receiving the rosary. Inscriptions at the base indicate that it is by BUCHE, the famous Grenoble master glassmaker, and was donated by Mme Perret in 1888. She also financed the stained-glass window behind the high altar in 1866, and the harmonium we'll see later in the tour. (cf. 14)

On the left-hand side of the window, a marble plaque listed the names of members of the Confrérie du Très Saint Rosaire, while on the right-hand side of the window, another plaque served the same function for members of the Congregation of the Children of Mary (cf. 15 and 16).

Opposite the altar, a trompe l'oeil painting occupies the space, the free parts of which are monogrammed "AM" in honor of the Virgin Mary. The ribbon bears the inscription "vas spirituale", literally translated as "spiritual vessel". (cf. 17)

Finally, the ceiling, also in trompe l'oeil, has retained its original lustre.
(see 18 below)