Lac et chapelle Sainte-Anne

Ceillac

Tucked away at 2,415 m at the foot of the north peak of the Font Sancte (3,385 m), the lac Sainte-Anne is a glacial lake with turquoise waters covering 8.5 hectares, the largest in the Queyras; it has no outlet, its waters seeping directly through its permeable morainic dam. On its shore stands a chapel dedicated to Saint Anne. Legend relates that two young shepherds, stranded in the middle of the lake on a makeshift raft, were saved when their parents implored Saint Anne, vowing to raise an oratory to her: a light breeze brought the craft back to the shore. A pilgrimage is documented there from 9 July 1699, and the feast of Saint Anne is officially mentioned in 1751. Around 1918–1919, an avalanche sweeping down from the Font Sancte destroyed the chapel and its porch; rebuilt, it was blessed on 26 July 1921, then fully restored in 2003. Every 26 July, two processions setting out from Ceillac and from Maurin, in the Ubaye valley, converge on the chapel for a Mass celebrated at about 11 o'clock, followed by a picnic and traditional games.

Getting there : From Ceillac, D60 up the Mélezet valley to the Pied du Mélezet or Chaurionde car parks (1,967 m), then path via the lac Miroir (about 1 h more between the two lakes, 201 m of ascent); family walk, IGN map 3537ET.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound