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Origin and history

The Church of Saint-Sigismon d'Aime-la-Plagne, in Savoy, is a Catholic building dedicated to the King of Burgundy, Sigismon. It is located on the ancient Roman road Alpis Graia, connecting Milan with Vienna via the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass. Originally, it was located on the hamlet of Saint-Sigismund Hill, a site probably occupied by Celtic times, then Roman. The parish of Aime was mentioned in 1170, but its pastoral unit dates back to a much older era.

The first church, of Paleo-Christian origin (Vth-Vth century), was transferred between the 13th and 14th centuries to a lower site, becoming a chapel dedicated to the same saint. The current building was rebuilt between 1675 and 1679, financed by the brotherhoods of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Rosary. It was consecrated in 1681 and equipped with a rich baroque furniture in the 18th century, partially degraded during the French Revolution. Restorations were undertaken after World War II.

The church, oriented according to tradition (door to the west, bedside to the east), has fourteen chapels and houses sundials as well as twelve items of baroque furniture classified. His altarpiece, by Jacques Clérant, illustrates Savoyard sacred art. Master masons Louis Billiot, Jean Rouge, the brothers Genetta and Antoine Deglise, from Moutiers and Valsesia, took part in its construction. Classified as a historical monument in 1984, it bears witness to the religious and architectural history of the Tarentaise.

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