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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The chapel of Albart was built between 1875 and 1887 in the village of Saint-Illide, in the Cantal, at the initiative of Pierre Bos-Darnis. The latter, former leader of the Moniteur Universelle and having made a fortune in Paris, bequeathed his fortune to found a hospice for the elderly in rural areas. The architectural project was entrusted to the brothers Auguste and Lucien Magne, while the architect Aigueparse supervised the works. The chapel, in style combining Romanesque and Gothic influences, is distinguished by its unique nave with three spans and its side bedside.

The interior decoration is marked by sculptures inspired by medieval capitals and, above all, by three canvases marouflé from the choir, made by painter Pierre Fritel. These works, illustrating the Passion of Christ in a symbolist style, constitute an exceptional ensemble. The tympanum of the chapel is directly inspired by the Royal Gate of the Cathedral of Chartres. A hexagonal mausoleum, dedicated to the memory of Pierre Bos-Darnis, is attached to the bedside. The chapel, with its paintings, was listed as historical monuments by order of 26 February 2013.

The hospice and its chapel reflect a typical 19th-century charity, where wealthy patrons financed social infrastructure in their regions of origin. The hospital building, now extinct or transformed, was originally designed to accommodate rural elders, while the chapel served as a place of worship and recollection. The ensemble, owned by the commune of Saint-Illide, bears witness to the eclectic religious architecture of the late nineteenth century, combining historical reinterpretation and artistic innovations.

The location of the chapel, at the address 5024 Leygues in Saint-Illide, is documented in the Mérimée base, although the geographical accuracy is considered satisfactory a priori (level 6/10). The protected elements include the entire chapel, including the choir paintings, under cadastre AB 140. The site remains a remarkable example of religious and social heritage linked to the local history of Cantal and Auvergne.

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