Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The chapel of La Colombière, located in Chalon-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire), was built between 1928 and 1929 under the impulse of Canon Maurice Dutroncy, then director of the private school of the same name. The architectural project was entrusted to the brothers Auguste and Gustave Perret, pioneers of the use of reinforced concrete, who designed a building with a clean volume, marked by a parallelepiped from where the upper parts of the nave emerge. The lower side, separated by slender columns, houses in the basement a study room, a bedroom and an office, reflecting the dual educational and spiritual vocation of the place.

The stained glass windows, the major elements of the chapel, were made by the glass roof Marguerite Huré after the cartons of the painter Maurice Denis, emblematic figure of the nabi movement. The bays, adorned with claustra in the shape of a cross, diffuse a dim light that highlights these works. Originally, the interior furniture, designed by Gustave Perret, included a major altar — the only remaining element today. The chapel, originally integrated into the school's life, was abandoned after the school's move.

Ranked a historical monument on December 27, 1996, the chapel illustrates the alliance between architectural modernity and religious tradition in the 20th century. Its present state, owned by a private company, raises questions about its preservation and accessibility. Available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) highlight its heritage importance, both for its style and for the artists who contributed to it.

The site is located at 72 rue d'Autun (or 36 rue Philibert Guide according to the sources), in a neighborhood of Chalon-sur-Saône marked by its educational and religious history. GPS coordinates and Merimée data confirm its local anchor, while its ranking among the buildings labeled Heritage of the 20th century reinforces its historical and cultural value.

External links