Saint-François
9, rue de Longny - Centre hospitalier
61400 Mortagne-au-Perche
Chapel, Convent | 1515 | Renaissance | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 20.00
Tue 9.00 - 20.00
Wed 9.00 - 20.00
Thu 9.00 - 20.00
Fri 9.00 - 20.00
Sat 9.00 - 20.00
Sun 9.00 - 20.00
Restoration work is due to take place shortly, and a closure is planned during this period.
Guided tour
Religious offices
Description
At the request of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, whom she had welcomed in 1499 to the Hôtel-Dieu de Mortagne-au-Perche to care for the sick, Marguerite de Lorraine (1463-1521), Duchess of Alençon and Countess of Perche, undertook the construction of a convent in 1505 where they could care for the poor and live in seclusion.
She purchased a field called ‘La Saingle’ or ‘Les Javelots’ on the outskirts of the town, where the sinister gallows erected for the execution of criminals stood. In 1506, the sisters moved into the buildings to follow the rules of the Order of St. Clare. In 1515, the chapel adjoining the cloister was consecrated under the patronage of Saint Francis.
The sisters' charitable work ceased during the Revolution when the convent became national property. However, in 1800, as the buildings had not suffered any major damage, they were converted into a hospital.
Today, this hospital-hospice is of great architectural and pictorial interest: the chapel and cloister have not undergone any major changes since the 16th century, and the alterations made in the 17th century have not altered the sober appearance of the buildings.
In addition, thanks to generous donors, the interior of the chapel, which had been stripped during the Revolution, was restored and enriched with painted decorations during the following century.
The cloister has been listed as a Historic Monument since 22 June 1920. The chapel was listed as a Historic Monument on 11 June 1986.
Photos
Remarkable elements
The cloister
Its exposed arched framework and the simplicity of the pillars supporting the roof contribute to maintaining an atmosphere of peace conducive to contemplation. The tombstones scattered around the cloister come from the nuns' cemetery, located to the north of the chapel.
An imposing grain chest, originally equipped with an ingenious system for lifting the lid, which once contained the hospice's most precious possession, is on display for all to see...
Peintures de Pierre-Honoré Chadaigne
Dans la chapelle, la voûte lambrissée en berceau brisé peinte par Rophoël Chodoigne (peintre Ornais actif à la fin du XIXème siècle) constitue un des plus célèbres ensembles de l’Orne, très intéressant par son iconographie symbolique.
En frise, au bas de la voûte, l’artiste a réalisé une sorte d’armorial en faisant figurer les blasons des grandes familles du XVIème siècle du Perche. Pour leur part, les tableaux présents sur les élévations sont attribués à François Lafon ( 1846-1920).
Hagioscope
II nous reste une importante tribune avec ses lambris (XVllème siècle) ainsi qu’un exceptionnel hagioscope, aménagé pour Marguerite de Lorraine et portant ses armes, afin que cette dernière puisse entendre la messe entourée de ses malades les plus fragiles depuis la seule pièce chauffée du couvent située à I’arrière de cette grille.
Reliquaire du cœur de René d'Alençon
Au sol, au niveau du chœur, outre la dalle funéraire en ardoise de Pierre de Catinat (père du maréchal de France), on remarque ò droite un reliquaire contenant le cœur de René d’Alençon, époux de Marguerite de Lorraine.
Les vitraux
Enfin, il convient d’admirer les vitraux qui représentent plusieurs épisodes de la vie de saint François et de sainte Claire ainsi que le martyr d’une clarisse de ce monastère, sœur Marguerite Petit.
