Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The chapel Saint-Léonard de Mayenne, located in the department of the same name in Pays de la Loire, is a small Christian shrine of 10 meters by 4,50 meters. It is located on the route of an ancient Roman way from Avranches to Jublains. Its elevations could go back to the 12th century, while its structure, dated by dendrochronology, is attributed to the second half of the 14th century. The interior walls bear a rich painted decoration of the same period, partially preserved in the form of preparatory ochre traces.

The building, with a rectangular flat bedside plan, is built in schist bellows with corner chains and granite frames. The murals, homogeneous and of high quality, illustrate religious scenes such as the Last Judgment, the Annunciation, or the martyrdom of Saint Laurent, as well as historical figures such as Charles de Blois, identified by Christian Davy. These frescoes reflect the context of the Hundred Years' War and the Breton conflicts of the 14th century.

In the 18th century, with the addition of a floor and a fireplace, the chapel became a stable and a henhouse. It was bought by the municipality of Mayenne in the 21st century, and a restoration carried out between 2008 and 2012 allowed to regain its original entrance on the west gable and restore the painted decorations. Partially classified in 1959 for its murals, it is now fully protected, including its frame and plot.

The site is also marked by its archaeological history: the neighboring ford, the Gué Saint-Léonard, is known for the discovery in 1855 of a monetary treasure in the bed of Mayenne by the Baron of Sarcus and Chedeau. The first written mention of the chapel, however, appeared only in the 15th century, leaving uncertainty about its exact origins and sponsor.

Today, the chapel Saint-Léonard bears witness to both medieval religious art and architectural transformations over the centuries, while providing insight into the political and religious tensions of 14th century Brittany.

External links