There are a total of 15 oratories that surround the Notre Dame de la Gorge at the southern end of the Montjoie Valley. Fourteen of them are outside of the church with the first one near the parking of the Notre Dame on a small mound. From there a line of oratories can be found lining the right side of the path as you walk to the Notre Dame. On the south side of the church are another few. The last one is mounted on the north side of the church to make a grand total of 15. The 15 oratories are used to pray the Rosary and there are 3 groups of 5 oratories that celebrate the 5 Joyful Mysteries, the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries and the 5 Glorious Mysteries. 

The oratories were originally built in 1728 under the leadership of Reverend Gaillard. With the flooding of the river and other natural hardships the oratories required frequest repair or replacing. There is a nice website that covers the heritage of Les Contamines that explains it all in great detail. It also goes in depth for the specific designs of each group of oratories and who the craftsmen were responsible for the work.

We got a detailed trail description for our Notre Dame de la Gorge discovery tour which is a lovely trail that visits all the main points of interests around the Notre Dame including the oratories, the main church, the Sainte Chapel, the waterfall at the Point Romaine, the Refuge de Nant Borrant and the Cascade de Combe Noire waterfall. Its a beautiful tour which we highly recommend.