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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The funeral chapel of the Heriot family is a mausoleum erected in the communal cemetery of La Boissière-École in the Yvelines. Built in 1901 by architect C. Lemaire, it is distinguished by its external sculptures by Alfred Boucher and its ornamental elements by Louis Holweck. Inside, a marble carved group of Felix Soulès represents a child supported by an angel, while a zenithly lit cave houses a woman surrounded by angelim. This monument, emblematic of 19th century funeral art, combines religious symbolism and artistic refinement.

Ranked a historic monument in 1987 after a first inscription in 1986, the chapel illustrates the importance attached to family commemoration in the bourgeoisie of the time. The bronze doors, made by the Val-d'Osne workshops in Paris, as well as the medallions evoking eternal silence and pain, reinforce its solemn character. The site, a property shared between the commune and individuals, also bears witness to collaborations between artists and artisans to create exceptional funeral ensembles.

Located in the northern part of the village, road of Mauzaise, the chapel is part of a rural landscape of the Yvelines marked by heritage achievements such as the Château de La Boissière. Its architecture and decor reflect the aesthetic tastes of the late 19th century, mixing neoclassicism and romantic influences. The interior and exterior sculptures, by their expressiveness, invite a reflection on death and memory, central themes of the funeral art of this period.

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