Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is one of those towns I came to visit long ago and have come back. The choices are many and difficult to choose indeed. I found me new pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me. The city of Fécamp is located in the Seine-Maritime dept 76 in the Normandie region of my belle France, Therefore, here is my take on the Chapelle Notre Dame du Salut of Fécamp !! Hope you enjoy the post as I

The Chapelle Notre-Dame du Salut or the Chapel of Our Lady of Salvation, perched on the Côte de la Vierge , is said to have been founded in the 11C. According to an unofficial version, it was built on the orders of Count Baldwin, one of Rollo’s companions, on land belonging to the fief granted to him by the Duke of Normandy, located in the Burgus. This place later became known as Bourg Baudouin, giving the chapel its first name: Notre-Dame de Baudouin du Bourg. Another tradition recounts that in 1035, Robert the Magnificent, father of William the Conqueror, finding himself in danger of shipwreck, vowed to build three chapels if he were saved: in Fécamp: Our Lady of Salvation; in Honfleur: Our Lady of Grace;(see post) and in Caen: Our Lady of Deliverance.

The Chapelle Notre Dame du Salut was rebuilt in the 13C, it did not yet bear the name Notre-Dame de Salut. Integrated into the priory of Bourg-Baudouin, it was then under the jurisdiction of the powerful Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Fécamp (see post). At that time, it welcomed pilgrims from northern France, drawn by the veneration of the Precious Blood, a valuable relic kept in the abbey. Despite the French revolution, the chapel escaped destruction thanks to a decree of the National Assembly on August 6, 1792, justifying its preservation by its usefulness to sailors. In the 19C, Notre-Dame de Salut fully rediscovered its spiritual vocation. It became a favored pilgrimage site for the fishermen of Fécamp, especially before and after their long fishing campaigns off Newfoundland. In 1942, during WWII, bombing destroyed the bell tower, but it was rebuilt and adorned with a gilded statue of the Virgin and Child, donated in 1902 by a shipowner. Inside, maritime ex-votos, paintings, objects, and testimonies of shipwrecked sailors pay homage to the Virgin Mary as protector. In 1948, the sculptor Jacques Touzet created a white stone statue depicting Mary symbolically holding a three-masted ship on her lap. Notre-Dame de Salut remains a place of profound reflection. The faithful, visitors, and descendants of sailors come to light a candle or lay flowers before the Virgin.

In early January 2018, a severe storm damaged the roof of the chapel, dislodging slates. Rainwater seeped in and damaged the vault. Temporary repairs were quickly carried out, but the damage was done. A few days later, a vaulting rib collapsed. As a precaution, access to the chapel was prohibited. A lengthy process then began involving the city, insurers, contractors, and the architects of the French National Heritage Buildings. The work is scheduled to begin in early 2027.

The Friends of old Fécamp on the chapel : https://www.vieux-fecamp.fr/articles/nds.html

The Association of new lands or Terre Neuvas of Fécamp on the chapel : https://terreneuvas76.org/nosactions/chapelle/

The Fécamp tourist office on the Cap Fagnet see chapel : https://www.fecamptourisme.com/experiences/nos-incontournables/le-cap-fagnet/

The Seine Maritime dept 76 tourist office on Cap Fagnet see chapel: https://www.seine-maritime-tourisme.com/en/offers/le-cap-fagnet-fecamp-site-classe-les-blockhaus-fecamp-en-5373498/

The city of Fécamp on its history: https://www.ville-fecamp.fr/decouvrir-fecamp/fecamp-et-son-histoire/

There you go folks, another dandy a jewel of my belle France. Fécamp needs more time and indeed more of this chapel once renovated. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Chapelle Notre Dame du Salut of Fécamp !! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!