The Genevrey of Vif

Its construction dates back to the end of the 11th century, when the choir was built. It originally comprised two windows and two absidioles. A third window, with a pointed arch, was later added in line with the nave. The two absidioles became the access doors to the sacristy and bell tower respectively.
The nave dates back to the middle of the 12th century. It comprises two aisles. The whole is supported by powerful external buttresses. Thanks to these buttresses, the edifice exudes great strength and balance. The bell tower dates back to the late 12th century.
The building materials used are mostly of local origin: schist and tuff. The latter, light in color and porous in texture, creates a pleasant atmosphere inside the building, and contributes to its excellent acoustics. This is further enhanced by the presence of logettes - circular holes - that can be seen at the base of the nave vault.

The building has undergone few alterations over the centuries, and these are still clearly visible. At the back of the church, a section of plasterwork decorated with geometric motifs in ochre tones remains, a reminder of what the interior decoration of our churches once looked like. In places, the stones have been repointed with grey cement mortar, rather than the lime we prefer to use today: a reminder that the Vicat cement works, the village's main source of wealth, once stood right next to the church.

The tympanum of the entrance porch features a fresco known as the Virgin with Mantle. It depicts Mary sheltering twelve kneeling figures under the wide-open panels of her cloak. This is a variation on the theme of the Virgin of Mercy, which dates back to the 13th century. The twelve figures probably represent not the twelve apostles, but the whole of humanity under Mary's protection. Another depiction of a Virgin with a mantle can be found in the church of Laval, in the Grésivaudan region.

How to get to Sainte Marie:
The church is located in the heart of the old village of Le Genevrey. A few parking spaces are available in front of the church, but be careful not to obstruct the passage of vehicles of local residents living around the church. Parking is also available along Avenue Louis Vicat, which joins the main road and the bridge over the Gresse.
(http://www.saintloup-cathisere.cef.fr)