The Beginning of Protestantism

Protestantism entered Mizoën and Haut-Oisans in the mid-16th century, in a context of deep religious change. March 12, 1562 marked a decisive turning point: M. Ponant, a Protestant leader and adviser to the Parliament of Grenoble, directly asked Calvin to send him a “minister of the word” for Clavans and Mizoën. This act is considered the official starting point of Protestantism in Oisans. The archives show, however, that inhabitants of the territory were already practicing the Reformed religion as early as 1558. The success of the Reformation in Haut-Oisans, especially in the Ferrand valley and at La Grave, has often been explained by the proximity of Savoyard lands, where Protestantism was firmly established. Through the Emparis Plateau, exchanges with Savoy were constant, facilitating the circulation of new ideas into the villages of the upper valley.