Church of Cordeliers

Briançon is most famous for its Vauban-style fortifications and the charm of its gargoyles, but many visitors also come to the town, sometimes from very far away, even from across the Atlantic, mainly to admire the "treasure" of Briançon, the Cordeliers' church. This church, discreetly nestled against the current town hall, is one of the rare witnesses to the medieval history of Briançon and contains, away from view, a prestigious mural decoration.
The building was originally part of an important convent of Franciscan friars, also known as Cordeliers, which was founded in 1388 with the financial support of Jacques de Montmaur, governor of the Dauphiné, and Antoine Tholosan, a jurisconsult in Briancon
It was commissioned to combat the growing power of Waldensianism in the Briançon area and to promote the evangelisation of the population, and was completed in 1391. The popes, installed in Avignon, could not tolerate a heretical presence on the Durance road. The sponsors did not hesitate to have thirty-five houses demolished to free up the right of way necessary for this construction.
In addition to the church, the complex included vast conventual buildings, a barn, gardens and a cemetery, placed in front of the main gate, in which, during the period of repression of the Waldensian heresy, the Cordeliers handed down sentences and organised abjuration ceremonies. In addition to their role as inquisitors, the Cordeliers took an active part in the life of the community: preaching, teaching children, religious services even in the mountain chalets. They even owned a market hall in the rue de Roche in order to carry out commercial activities
The church has survived numerous fires, particularly those of 1624 and 1692. Its distance from the houses and its stone construction have protected it. The inventory made after the fire of 1692 gives us a very detailed description of the state of the convent and the church. We learn that the Cordeliers fought the fire with all possible means in order to protect the building and especially its contents. Indeed, the floors of the convent were crumbling under the weight of the sacks of wheat belonging to the army. The military authorities, fearing an attack by the Duke of Savoy, had stored reserves throughout the town, in private homes and public buildings. During the revolutionary period, the convent was considered national property, along with many of the clergy's possessions, and given to the army, which was increasingly present in the town and lacked buildings. Having got into the habit of using the rooms of the convent to house sick soldiers, the army decided in the 19th century to modernise its facilities. The convent buildings were demolished in order to establish a more modern military hospital. It was inaugurated in 1831, based on a project by the engineer captain Barthélemy Gallice, known as Gallice-Bey.
The church was preserved as it offered a large usable volume, annexed to the hospital and used until 1975.

The church is currently being restored. It is no longer open to visitors.