Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-de-Beaumont chapel, located in La Chapelle-du-Châtelard in the department of Ain, is mentioned for the first time in 1371. The original building, probably Romanesque as evidenced by fragments of 12th century sculptures and a triumphal arch, was partially destroyed by fire in 1318. This chapel belonged to a time when places of worship played a central role in community life, serving both as a religious and social gathering point for the inhabitants of the Dombes, a region marked by agriculture and ponds.

The reconstruction of the chapel at the beginning of the 15th century gave it its present appearance, with a distinct nave and arches on cross of warheads, characteristic of the late Gothic. The building, with the exception of the nave, was entirely vaulted during this work campaign. The chapel became communal property and was listed as a historical monument on 22 January 1979, thus recognizing its heritage value. Its architecture reflects the stylistic transitions between Roman and Gothic, typical of the rural religious monuments of this period.

Today, the Notre-Dame-de-Beaumont chapel remains a testimony of local religious and architectural history. Its location at Place de Beaumont (approximate address: 7 Place de Beaumont, 01240 La Chapelle-du-Châtelard) and its designation as historic monuments make it a protected site, although the sources do not specify its current accessibility to the public. Romanesque remains and Gothic modifications illustrate artistic evolutions and successive reconstructions, often linked to historical hazards such as fires or property changes.

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