CHAPELLE DES PENITENTS BLEUS

Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus (Blue Penitents’ Chapel) (14th-15th century). Gothic building with a beautiful door in a flamboyant style rarely seen in Languedoc. The choir and several bays were destroyed in the 19th century, as were the ramparts it was connected to.
Its 15th century porch looks out onto a very busy shopping street perpendicular to the aisles. As soon as you enter the building, you are struck by the size of the paintings. First of all, behind the altar on a wall that closes off the nave after the choir was demolished, there is an impressive trompe-l’oeil decoration from the 19th century representing the death of Saint Jerôme and, in a secondary position, Saint Nazaire Cathedral. On the left, from same era, is a pictorial representation of the Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer and Sainte Sara boat. The traces of paint that can be seen on the walls of the nave date from the 17th century. Before you leave, take a good look at the enormous design on the back wall.

Show less