Sundial in Entraigues
Presentation
The sundial affixed on the church of Entraigues dated of 1843 is a curiosity to be discovered and decrypted.
Entraigues is one of the 22 hamlets of Saint Jean d' Arves, well preserved for its typical architecture of the Arvan valley.
Entraigues is one of the 22 hamlets of Saint Jean d' Arves, well preserved for its typical architecture of the Arvan valley.
While visiting the Arvan Valley, explore the hamlet of Entraigues and its well-preserved heritage: its church, the sundial, and the traditional architecture typical of the valley.
You can also take in the views of the hamlet of Entraigues and go for a 45-minute walk toward the Mollard de la Croix.
The sundial—a must-see!
Nestled in a small valley at the confluence of the Arvette and Arvan rivers, the church of Entraigues is a modest building that nevertheless boasts one of the most beautiful and mysterious sundials in Savoie.
With its elegant shape, harmonious colors, balanced proportions, and enigmatic markings, it stands in stark contrast to the typical ornamentation found on sundials.
Didier Chagot and Paul Gagnaire, members of the French Astronomical Society, conducted an in-depth study of this unique sundial. The central section indicates solar noon for 37 locations around the world, each represented by a red celestial star. The difference in longitude between these sites and Entraigues is indicated by lines visible only up close.
At the bottom of the dial appears the coded name of its builder, Giuseppe Gibello, and the year of construction, 1843. At the top of the dial, one can read the motto “I refuse to tell the time if the sun is silent” near a depiction of a compass, a T-square, a protractor, and a plumb line—all elements that do not correspond to religious iconography.
What message did the sundial maker intend to convey? Who was he, exactly? We know almost nothing about him. And finally, who commissioned this work? A truly mysterious sundial of strange beauty, superbly restored since 1999, yet one that retains much of its mystery.
You can also take in the views of the hamlet of Entraigues and go for a 45-minute walk toward the Mollard de la Croix.
The sundial—a must-see!
Nestled in a small valley at the confluence of the Arvette and Arvan rivers, the church of Entraigues is a modest building that nevertheless boasts one of the most beautiful and mysterious sundials in Savoie.
With its elegant shape, harmonious colors, balanced proportions, and enigmatic markings, it stands in stark contrast to the typical ornamentation found on sundials.
Didier Chagot and Paul Gagnaire, members of the French Astronomical Society, conducted an in-depth study of this unique sundial. The central section indicates solar noon for 37 locations around the world, each represented by a red celestial star. The difference in longitude between these sites and Entraigues is indicated by lines visible only up close.
At the bottom of the dial appears the coded name of its builder, Giuseppe Gibello, and the year of construction, 1843. At the top of the dial, one can read the motto “I refuse to tell the time if the sun is silent” near a depiction of a compass, a T-square, a protractor, and a plumb line—all elements that do not correspond to religious iconography.
What message did the sundial maker intend to convey? Who was he, exactly? We know almost nothing about him. And finally, who commissioned this work? A truly mysterious sundial of strange beauty, superbly restored since 1999, yet one that retains much of its mystery.
Opening day(s)
All year long 2026
Every day
LIBELLE_GENERAL
- Services :
- Services
- Services
- Services
- Services
- Services
- Services
- Type of culturel patrimony :
- Historic site and monument
- Historical patrimony :
- Historic patrimony
- Sun dial
- Period :
- 19th C
Contact
Sundial in Entraigues
Entraigues
73530
Saint-Jean-d'Arves
Phone : +33(0)4 79 59 73 30
Destination
Cadran solaire d'Entraigues
Entraigues
73530
Saint-Jean-d'Arves
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 45.190881
Longitude : 6.285585