The chapel bears the dedication of Saint Michael, probably succeeding an ancient place of worship to Mercury attested by archaeological remains. It is mentioned in the twelfth century. But its primitive altar, listed in 1911 and now replaced, indicated a construction from the 11th century. and depended on the priory of Saint-Pierre de Rhèdes and the abbey of Villemagne-l'Argentière. It was included in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments in 1963.

Around the chapel was the castle and the medieval village of Mourcairol over an area of 4 ha, occupied for at least 5 centuries and abandoned around 1400 in favor of habitats in the valley including Les Aires which became a municipality in 1845. The site became in modern times a hermitage and then a place of pilgrimage on May 8. It can be visited freely along an organized tourist loop. Several parts of the castle have been restored. Possible car access to the ramparts by a path starting on the Aires road, 500 m from the Vernière bridge, at the level of the “Le Moulinas” signpost.

A pilgrimage is organized every year on May 8.