Saint-Jean-d'Aulps

SAINT-JEAN-D'AULPS

Official blason

De sinople à la tour avec son avant-mur senestre, d'argent maçonnés de sable, à dextre et à la croix latine tréflée d'argent à senestre.

Origin/meaning

The arms are those of the Cistercian Abbey Sainte-Marie d'Aulps, which date from medieval times.

In 1405, the Count of Savoy, Amedee VIII, granted to the abbey of Aulps the right to bear the cross of Saint Maurice on its arms. From then on, the abbey and its possessions benefited from the double protection of the Count of Savoy and of Saint Maurice, symbol of the perfect knight.

The meaning of the tower is not very clear. It is probably derived from the family arms of a family which donated to the abbey or was influential in the region. Several local families used a tower in their arms, the Langin family, the La Tour-Châtillon family or the Tour de Thiez. As all had influence in the region or on the abbey, and were also related, the tower is probably derived from one of these.