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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The lower chapel of the Assumption, also known as the chapel of the White Penitents of the Netherlands, is a religious building located in La Brig, in the Alpes-Maritimes. Built primarily in the 18th century for the Assumption Brotherhood, it probably replaces an older building linked to the preaching of Saint Vincent Ferrier in 1395. Its Baroque architecture, with a two-storey facade surmounted by a curved pediment, reflects the importance of the penitential brotherhoods in the region. The statues of the patron saints (Our Lady of the Assumption, Saint Anne, Saint Lucia, Saint Joseph) adorn the outer niches, while the interior presents 18th century rock decorations, restored in the 19th century, illustrating the life of the Virgin Mary.

The monument is distinguished by its campanile inclined to the Italian and houses one of the last five portable organs of procession of France, whose classification has been requested. Ranked a historic monument since 3 March 1949, the chapel was selected from the 18 iconic sites of the Lotto du Patrimoine in 2021. Its rectangular plan and its location to the right of the collegiate Saint-Martin make it a key element of the religious heritage of La Brig. The work of the 19th century enriched its interior settings, reflecting its architectural evolution and its continuing role in local life.

The chapel illustrates the influence of the brotherhoods of penitents in the Southern Alps, where these lay groups played a central role in collective devotion and social assistance. Its portable organ, used during the processions, recalls the mobile liturgical traditions of mountain regions. The 1949 ranking and its recent selection for the Heritage Lotto highlight its exceptional heritage value, both for its architecture and for its rare liturgical furniture.

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