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Origin and history

The chapel Saint-Baudel de Pourrain, located in the Yonne department in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, dates from the first half of the sixteenth century. It was built to accommodate religious services during the reconstruction of the choir of the nearby Saint-Serge-et-Saint-Bach church, the work of which began in 1540. Its modest architecture, composed of a short nave and an apse choir, is characteristic of the region, with rubble of ferrous sandstone.

Inside, the chapel houses a remarkable walled ceiling decorated with polychrome paintings, including a representation of two angels carrying the Virgin's house, as well as plant motifs like pampres. These sets could be the work of Italian painters brought back by Francis II of Dinteville, then bishop of Auxerre, after his stay in Rome in 1533. The chapel thus reflects the artistic influences of the Renaissance in this region.

Sold as a national property during the Revolution, the chapel had various uses: catechism room, barn, shooting room, before being restored by the town hall between 2000 and 2009. Since then, it has served as a cultural venue, welcoming exhibitions and concerts. Ranked a historic monument in 2012, she also received the 2009 Regional Heritage Award, highlighting her heritage and artistic value.

Its history is closely linked to that of the nearby parish church, whose reconstruction of the choir lasted from 1540 to 1599. The chapel Saint-Baudel thus illustrates the religious and architectural evolution of Pourrain, at the gates of the Puisaye, an area marked by a notable Protestant presence in modern times.

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