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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-du-Salut chapel of Fécamp, located on the Côte de la Vierge, finds its origins in the 11th century, according to two distinct traditions. The first attributed its foundation to Count Baldwin, a companion of Rollon, who would have built it in the fief of Burgus, giving its original name: Notre-Dame de Baudouin du Bourg. The second version tells that in 1035, Robert the Magnificent, the father of William the Conqueror, promised three chapels after a rescue at sea, including that of Fécamp, then named Our Lady of Salvation. Rebuilt in the 13th century, it depended on the Priory of Bourg-Baudouin and the Abbey of the Holy Trinity, attracting pilgrims to worship the Precious Blood.

During the Wars of Religion, the chapel was fortified, causing tensions with the inhabitants of Fécamp. They obtained partial demolition in 1615, fearing a military threat. Saved by the Revolution by a decree of 1792 justifying its usefulness for navigators, she lost her nave after a hurricane in 1800. In the 19th century, it became a place of devotion for sailors-fishers leaving for Newfoundland, with processions such as the Marchèque, mixing religious and local traditions.

The 20th century marked the chapel with destruction and restoration. In 1942, its bell tower, destroyed during the Second World War, was rebuilt and decorated with a golden statue of the Virgin with the Child, offered in 1902 by a shipowner. In 1948, a white stone statue of Jacques Touzet, representing Marie holding a three-mast, was installed there. In 2018, storm Egon severely damaged the roof and vault, causing prolonged closure. The works, estimated at 2.5 million euros, are to start in 2027, supported by a public subscription.

Today, the chapel remains a symbol of the Fecampese maritime memory. It houses ex-votos offered by rescued sailors and attracts faithful and visitors, perpetuating a centuries-old cult of the Virgin Protector. Guy de Maupassant evoked it as an "old all grey chapel" guarding the port, emphasizing its anchoring in the landscape and local hearts.

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