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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The chapel of Clémencé, also known as Chapelle Notre-Dame de Clémencé, is a 14th or 15th century Catholic building located in Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière, Orne. According to legend, it was built on the site of an oak with a statue of the Virgin, known for its miraculous healings. Michelle des Feugerets, sister of the local lord, cured of his claudication, would be at the origin of his foundation. The site, already a place of pilgrimage, enjoys indulgence from the 15th century, with an annual gathering around 8 September.

The chapel, of sober style, consists of a unique nave extended by a flat bedside. It was enlarged in the 17th century, and has a vault in the cradle of panelling dating from 1629, as well as paintings from the 17th and 19th centuries, including a representation of the twelve apostles. A high altar and Renaissance altarpiece, accompanied by 16th century polychrome statues, enrich its interior. Four stained glass windows illuminate the building, whose structure was also under construction in the 19th century.

Classified as a historic monument since November 14, 1977, the chapel is now owned by the commune of Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière. A safeguard association, created in 2006, works for its preservation. The site, linked to miracle stories and Marian devotion, remains an architectural and spiritual testimony of medieval and modern Normandy.

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