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Origin and history

The parish church of Risoul, located in the Hautes-Alpes, is a religious building built in the sixteenth century, probably in the first half, under the impulse of Archbishop Jean Bayle. He encouraged an active period of ecclesiastical work in the region. The church is distinguished by its unique nave of two vaulted bays, flanked by three lateral chapels. The northern chapel, vaulted with ribs falling on carved caps, contrasts with the southern chapel dedicated to the Virgin, covered with similar but more sober vaults. The choir, with a flat bedside, is also vaulted with dogives, while the south facade features a gallery covered with an appentis supported by broken arches.

The main gate, originally located on the southern facade, was moved west in the 19th century to align with the nave. The bell tower, of square plane, rises against the south facade and ends with a polygonal arrow in tuff. Originally, the porch was partially destroyed when it was added to the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments in 1948; the missing arcs were reconstituted in subsequent restorations. An ancient chapel of penitents, vaulted in a full-fine cradle, is joined to the northwest of the nave, testifying to the community importance of the building.

The church illustrates the Alpine religious architecture of the 16th century, marked by late Gothic influences, as evidenced by the dogid vaults and carved capitals. Its inscription in 1948 underlines its heritage value, while revealing the adaptations experienced over the centuries, including the movement of the gate and the restoration of the porch. These changes reflect the liturgical changes and the practical needs of the parish, while preserving the original structural elements.

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