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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Pays-de-la-Loire
  4. Sarthe
  5. 72000 Le Mans

  6. Chapel of the Visitation du Mans

 Chapel of the Visitation du Mans au Mans dans la Sarthe

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Chapelle baroque et classique
Sarthe

Chapel of the Visitation du Mans

    1 Rue du Vert-Galant
    72000 Le Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Chapelle de la Visitation du Mans
Crédit photo : stephvvv - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1632
Project launch
1634
Foundation of the Chapel
1711
Earthquake
1714-1737
Reconstruction led by Sister Pillon
1792
Expulsion of nuns
6 mars 1906
Historical Monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Chapel: by order of 6 March 1906; The following parts of the old convent: the facades and roofs of the old monastery, the east wing (former infirmary), the terraces. Inside: the two large stairs, the galleries of the cloister on the ground floor of the North Wing and the former choir of the nuns on the first floor (cf. CV 167, 168): classification by decree of 11 August 1987; Facades and roofs of the former women's district; the former convent (with the exception of the classified parts) (cf. CV 167, 168): entry by order of 11 August 1987

Key figures

Mme de la Ferrière - Founder Started the project in 1632.
Anne-Victoire Pillon - Architect and decorator Leads the reconstruction in the 18th century.
Denis Darcy - Architect restorer Restore the chapel in 1861-1865.
Pierre Rogier du Crévy - Bishop of Le Mans Supports reconstruction in 1713.

Origin and history

The chapel of the Visitation du Mans, located in Place de la République, is an 18th century religious building originally linked to the Visitandines convent. Founded in 1634 by Mme de la Ferriere, daughter of General de Tesse, it was intended to welcome young girls who wished to "enter religion". The rapid construction, completed in seven months, was criticized for its fragility, aggravated by a fire in 1662 and an earthquake in 1711. These events forced a major reconstruction under the direction of Sister Anne-Victoire Pillon, a talented architect and decorator, between 1714 and 1737.

The chapel, styled Regency and Louis XV, is distinguished by its central dome and lantern with fifteen bells. Its bright interior, decorated with arches and windows, contrasts with its sober exterior. After the Revolution, the building was transformed: the nuns expelled in 1792, the convent buildings became prison and then courthouse until the 1990s. The chapel, restored to worship in 1804, was classified as a Historic Monument in 1906, preserving its unique architectural heritage.

The history of the chapel is also that of its transformations. In 1861-1865, architect Denis Darcy restored the building and built a staircase to adapt to the elevation created by the excavation of Gambetta Street. Today, the chapel remains the only monument of the city of Louis XV style, witness to the urban and religious evolutions of Le Mans. Its Latin cross plan, its 40-metre dome and its interior decorations make it a remarkable heritage of the Pays de la Loire.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum