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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assumption of Cordon, located in the Haute-Savoie department, was built between 1781 and 1785 in the hamlet of Vuaz. It replaces the old chapel of the castle, whose stones were reused, as well as those of the presbytery. Its design, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Mathole (or Giovanni Pietro Mathole), is inspired directly by that of the church of Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, with minor adaptations such as a transept with square ends and a slightly enlarged bell tower. The total cost of construction was £4,800.

The interior frescoes, made in 1787 by the Swiss painter Léonard Isler, illustrate scenes of the life of Christ and Mary, including the mysteries of the rosary. The dome represents the joyous mysteries, the forerunner the painful mysteries, and the nave the glorious mysteries. The bell tower bulb, added in 1816, was destroyed by fire in 1973 after a lightning strike, resulting in a major restoration financed by the Historic Monuments. The church was listed as a historic monument in 1974 and again in 2004.

The building, emblematic of Savoyard Baroque art, is distinguished by its Latin cross, its central dome and its four lateral altars. After renovations in 1978-1982 (paintings) and between 2009 and 2011 (building), the bell tower was covered with patinated steel to imitate its original appearance. The church remains a major testimony of the religious and architectural heritage of the region, managed today by the municipality of Cordon.

The original chapel, located in the castle, served as a parish church until the 18th century, when the community of Cordon — attached to the Collège de Sallanches — obtained permission to build this new building. Mural paintings, in addition to the mysteries of the rosary, include the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Supper in the choir, while the cupola pendants represent the four evangelists. These artistic elements, combined with an innovative architecture for the Faucigny, make it a remarkable site.

The official classification of historical monuments, by order of 5 March 2004, protects the entire building (Cadastre A 451). The last restoration campaign, completed in 2011, preserved its baroque features and painted decorations, ensuring its transmission to future generations. The local association Cordon, Heritage for tomorrow is actively contributing to its development, notably through publications available at the tourist office.

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