Our Lady of the Snows
The sanctuary of Machaby, above Arnad, celebrated every 5 August
Above Arnad, in the lower valley, the hamlet of Machaby is home to a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows (Notre-Dame-des-Neiges). It belongs to the parish of Saint-Martin in Arnad. People come up here to pray, but also for the walk and for the view over the Dora valley.
A statue found, according to tradition
The sanctuary’s origins are often traced back to the 15th century. According to tradition, it all began with the discovery of a statue of the Virgin. This story was handed down from one generation to the next and made Machaby a place of pilgrimage. The building was later altered and enlarged several times.
Stone, frescoes and altarpiece
The church is built of stone, like the mountain houses nearby, and has a bell tower. Inside, frescoes depict scenes from the Bible. A Baroque altarpiece stands above the altar.
5 August
5 August is the feast day of Our Lady of the Snows. On that day many worshippers climb up to Machaby for the celebration. For the rest of the summer, the sanctuary mainly draws walkers.
Work to preserve it
The sanctuary has been restored to protect the building and its decoration. For the people of Arnad, Machaby remains a place of faith as much as a place for an outing.
