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Former convent of the Claresses of Saint-François à Mortagne-au-Perche dans l'Orne

Orne

Former convent of the Claresses of Saint-François

    9 Rue de Longny
    61400 Mortagne-au-Perche
Ancien couvent des Clarisses de Saint-François
Ancien couvent des Clarisses de Saint-François
Ancien couvent des Clarisses de Saint-François
Ancien couvent des Clarisses de Saint-François
Crédit photo : Grefeuille - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1505
Construction begins
1515
Church Consecration
1793
Decommissioning and reuse
1800–1802
Restoration of the chapel
1920
Cloister classification
1986
Partial registration
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Cloister: by order of 22 June 1920; Chapel; facades and roofs of the convent buildings as well as those of the former cider factory, to the north-east, and those of the southeast building as shown on the plan annexed to the decree; Attic structures and floors; vaulted cellar; front door of the former Hôtel-Dieu, rue de l'Hospice; south-west, facades and roofs of the former presbytery of the small hospital or old house of Marguerite de Lorraine, as well as its wooden staircase with balusters (cad. AC 112, 143): entry by order of 11 June 1986

Key figures

Geoffroy III - Count of Perch Founded the Hotel-God in the 11th century.
Marguerite de Lorraine - Beneficiary and caregiver Donna care in her house.

Origin and history

The former convent of the Clarisses of Saint Francis, located in Mortagne-au-Perche, was built from 1505 onwards, with a consecrated church in 1515. This religious site, marked by architectural elements of the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries, became a home for the poor and sick after the Revolution. In 1793, the abandoned convent replaced the former hotel-God founded in the 11th century by Geoffroy III, Count of Perche, and abandoned during this period.

The chapel, stripped away during the Revolution, was restored and renovated between 1800 and 1802. Its present décor combines 17th century elements (painted ceilings, panelling, stalls) and early 19th century additions. The site also includes the house of Marguerite de Lorraine, modernized in the 17th century, where a room and a room were arranged for her to provide care, bearing the nickname Petit Hôpital.

The convent is partially protected: the cloister has been classified since 1920, while the chapel, facades, roofs of the convent buildings, as well as interior elements such as the wooden staircase of the house of Marguerite de Lorraine, have been registered since 1986. These protections underline its heritage importance, combining religious, medical and architectural history.

External links