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Origin and history

The chapel of the Oratory of Avignon, located on Rue Joseph-Vernet, was built between 1713 and 1749 under the impulse of the Oratorians, a religious congregation established in the city since 1646. The works, interrupted several times, were led by successive architects such as Jean Léonard, Jean-Ange Brun and Jean-Baptiste Péru. His innovative plan, combining two concentric ellipses and a circular choir, is partly inspired by the chapel of the Old Charity of Marseille, designed by Pierre Puget. The façade, adorned with twin Corinthian pilasters and a concave portico, bears witness to an ambitious aesthetic research for the period.

The history of the chapel is marked by financial tensions and architectural changes. Father Jean-Melchior de Mayne, superior of the order, supervised the project but encountered conflicts with the artisans, notably Jean-Ange Brun, accused of malfeasance, and Jean-Baptiste Péru, who left in 1747 without being paid. It was completed in 1749 at a cost of 95,000 pounds and was consecrated in 1750. During the Revolution, the Oratorians, initially in favour of new ideas, transformed it into a "patriotic Club". After the massacre of the Glacier in 1791, it served as a powder warehouse for the municipality, thus escaping destruction.

Ranked a historic monument in 1912, the chapel was restored to worship in 1825 and later became the chaplaincy of the high school Frédéric-Mistral. Its interior architecture, with its cul-de-four vaults, its stands and its dome pierced by the eyes, makes it a rare example of religious baroque in Provence. The Oratorians, dissolved at the Revolution, had previously founded a seminary in Avignon in 1669, contributing to the spiritual and intellectual influence of the congregation in the region.

The design of the chapel mobilized a variety of talents, including architect Ferdinand Delamonce, who passed through Avignon in 1729, which provided the definitive plans. Delays and budget overruns illustrate the logistical and financial difficulties of the major 18th-century religious sites. Today, the building, owned by the commune, retains its status as a place of worship while being a major testimony of the Avignon architectural heritage.

His rescue during the Revolution was due to his military use (disposal of ammunition), avoiding the planned destruction of a theatre. The archives also mention its role in Avignon's social life, notably as a gathering place for local revolutionaries before its reassignment in the 19th century.

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