The small church that hikers encounter north of Saint-Michel-de-Montjoie is built of the stone typical of this region. A look inside the chapel reveals that the apse houses not just one statue (often either a cross or the saint chosen as patron), but five.
+ Centrally located and slightly elevated, we see the Virgin Mary holding her son Jesus in her arms. Both are facing the viewer and wear a crown.
+ To the left of the viewer, but to the right of the Madonna, and thus in a place of honor, we find her fiancé, Saint Joseph, Jesus' foster father.
+ Next to him, we encounter the Archangel Michael, who, with his spear, slays a dragon lying at his feet – always the symbol of evil in Christian iconography.
+ On the other side of Mary stands the Apostle Peter, to whom, according to the Gospel accounts, Christ entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
+ On the far right from the viewer's perspective is another saint, whose name I unfortunately cannot identify. However, his dark habit identifies him as a member of a religious order.