CHAPELLE SAINT-CHARLES

The chapel of Saint-Charles, built before the middle of the 18th century, adjoined the hospital and was used by both the sick and the faithful of the neighbourhood. Most of the chaplains serving in the Hospice chapel were Irish. During the French Revolution, the chapel was converted into a granary for Republican troops. Once the turmoil of the Revolution had passed, it returned to its original purpose. During the Second World War, it was occupied (and ransacked) by the Kommandantur. Gradually, it was used only by the faithful in the late afternoon to attend the rosary. It closed to the public in 2001, and was desanctified. The town council bought it for a symbolic €1 in 2009. In the past, this place of worship opened onto the sick room, where patients could attend services behind wooden balustrades. The chapel comprises a nave and a flat chevet with a tiled roof. The interior is covered with panelled vaults with exposed trusses. The choir contains an altar-tabernacle and a polychrome altarpiece with a 1743 painting of Saint-Charles-Borromé in the centre, donated following the plague of 1720. These two precious works of art have been listed as historic monuments since 2023. Between 2022 and 2024, the Saint-Charles chapel was completely restored at the instigation of the local council. The restoration was undertaken thanks to a major appeal for donations and the help of the Fondation du Patrimoine, which enabled private contributors to contribute to the renovation. But it was also made possible by the support of the Loire Atlantique patronage club, the Total Energie Foundation, the Département, the State and the DRAC. The Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire also supported the project by giving a concert as part of the JEP programme in Paimboeuf. In the end, 90% of the renovation was financed from sources outside the commune. Which goes to show that there is real support and interest in this wonderful project! In order to protect it, the chapel is closed to visitors outside of scheduled events and visits. Please consult our diary or contact us to find out when it is open. Guided tours for groups are available on request. Please contact us at least 3 weeks in advance to discuss the possibilities.