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Origin and history

The chapel Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception, originally named chapel Saint-Antoine-de-Pade, was founded in 1469 by Duke François II of Brittany in tribute to his first wife, Marguerite de Bretagne. The work began in 1470, with the completion of the choir in 1481. Dedicated to Saint Antoine de Padua, it was inaugurated by Bishop Pierre du Chaffault in the presence of the Duke, who established a chapel. In 1483, Francis II bequeathed her to the Minimes, a religious order founded by Saint Francis of Paul.

In 1491 Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII confirmed this donation, but the installation of the Minimes was delayed by local oppositions, including begging orders already present in Nantes. The religious could not settle permanently until 1604, thanks to the patronage of the Duke of Mercœur, who financed their convent. In 1626 the cardinal of Richelieu celebrated Gaston d'Orléans' controversial marriage with Marie de Montpensier, an event linked to the conspiracy of Chalais. The façade was completed around 1680.

During the Revolution, the chapel became a national property, transformed into a workshop and then a refinery. Repurchased in 1849 by Abbé Lusson, it took its present name and was restored by architect Théodore Nau. Damaged during a bombing in 1944, it was restored again in 1946 and then between 2001 and 2010. Ranked a historic monument in 1991, it has maintained a protected organ since 2008 and stained glass windows evoking its history.

The architecture combines granite and tuffeau, with a flamboyant Gothic interior marked by accented vaults. The choir, the oldest part, follows a classic cross plan. Modern stained glass windows illustrate religious scenes, including the marriage of Gaston d'Orléans. The chapel, which is still active, served as a place of worship during the restoration of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral.

Recent restorations (2001-2010) focused on the structure, cover and interior at a total cost of more than 3 million euros, financed by the communities and the diocese. A project to restore the west façade, estimated at EUR 1.5 million, was launched in 2011. The building remains a major testimony of Nantes' religious and architectural history.

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