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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The chapel of the Lycée Saint-Caprais d'Agen originates in a 12th century Romanesque capitular hall built from the remains of the cloister of the Collège Saint-Caprais. This site, classified as a historic monument in 1906, is a remarkable example of Toulouse Romanesque art, with its historic capitals representing the Nativity and Adoration of the Magi. The hall, divided into six spans by marble columns, was initially attached to the church of Saint Caprais, which became cathedral in 1803.

The founding of the Lycée Saint-Caprais in 1850, decided by Bishop de Levezou de Vesins and entrusted to Abbé Emmanuel de Vivie de Régie, allowed the rediscovery of this capitular hall. The establishment, built near the cathedral, integrated this chapel into its premises after its renovation. In 1931, new buildings were blessed by Bishop Sagot du Vauroux, marking a milestone in the architectural evolution of the high school.

In the 20th century, the chapel became a memorial and spiritual place for the establishment. A memorial to the dead, inaugurated in 1921, pays tribute to the students who died in battle. The successive changes of the high school, such as the construction of a gymnasium in 1996 or the renovation of the facades in 1986, preserved this heritage while adapting to modern educational needs. Today, the chapel remains a symbol of the historic anchoring of the high school in the city of Agen.

The school, originally reserved for boys, became mixed in 1970. Its educational development, with the addition of post-bac training in 1993 and technological sections, has been accompanied by an appreciation of its heritage. The chapel, the spiritual heart of the establishment, bears witness to this duality between tradition and modernity, while recalling the martyrdom of Saint Caprais, the first patron saint of Agen.

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