Moving right along in my updating of older posts in my blog. Well, did find some places not really told you about out and need to do so more. This is the case of the new text and older pictures for the Chapelle Sainte Hélène of Auray !! Hope you enjoy the reading as I
Better known as the Chapelle de l’hôpital or hospital chapel, the Chapelle Sainte-Hélène chapel is one of the oldest monuments in Auray showing 1465. This Hôtel-Dieu or hospital was built in 1651. Like all Hôtel-Dieu, it communicated with a chapel in order to allow patients to hear services from their beds. In 1674, at the request of Pierre Le Gouvello de Kériolet, Counselor in the Parliament of Brittany, the Augustines arrived in Auray. They were hospital nuns. On several occasions, the chapel was transformed into a hospital room to accommodate wounded soldiers and sailors, or victims of the frequent epidemics of the past. In the 19C, the Augustinians and the sick were more numerous , it is necessary to enlarge the chapel.Inside, the furniture and woodwork date from the 19C.
On November 17, 1794, the Augustines, nuns hospitallers of Vannes, signed a contract with the town of Auray to take care of the sick. Another building will be added. In 1904, a new hospital was built . It is known in the course of history under four names: Chapel of Notre-Dame, name under which she was blessed; Chapel of the hospital, in reference to the Hôtel Dieu which it served; Chapel of the Augustines, name from the hospital nuns in charge of the sick; and Chapelle Sainte-Hélène, name given by the locals to their Chapel. This Chapel contains beautiful 18C carved stalls from the Chartreuse de Brec’h, a 19C altarpiece and woodwork. Open all year round ,daily from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 17h30, except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. It holds a Pardon on August 21st at 18h each year. Located at 8 Rue Georges Clemenceau.
In the archives of the city of Auray, the old Hôtel-Dieu or hospital appears in 1609. Two prosecutors run it and must give an account of their management when they leave office. they are forbidden to receive foreigners into the jurisdiction. The doctor, appointed by the city, must visit the hospitals free of charge twice a week. The building includes a room for men, one for women, a bakery, a kitchen, a lean-to, an attic. On November 17, 1794, the Augustines, hospital nuns of Vannes, signed a contract with the town of Auray to take care of the sick. Another building will be added. In 1904, a new hospital was built . It will be replaced by the new hospital center on the Pratel site in 1970, now part of the Bretagne Atlantique Hospital group.
The Sainte-Hélène Chapel is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 17h30 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9h to 12h. and from 14h to 18h, This Chapel contains beautiful 18C carved stalls from the Chartreuse de Brec’h, a 19C altarpiece and woodwork, Saint Hélène, invoked in this chapel, is the mother of Emperor Constantine, the first Roman Christian emperor. Tradition says that she discovered the cross of Christ during a trip to Palestine. This is why we represent it with a large cross and we invoke it to find lost objects. The chapel is located at 8 Rue Clémenceau, upper town of Auray.
The city of Auray on its heritage including the above: https://www.auray.fr/Ma-ville/Patrimoine/Les-monuments-historiques
The Bay of Quiberon tourist office on Auray: https://www.baiedequiberon.co.uk/auray
There you go folks, a dandy monument old, and religious/charitable ,and historical, architecturally stunning Auray. This now also has a wealth of information on the city worth the detour, me think. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Chapelle Sainte Hélène of Auray !! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 