Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception is a religious building located on rue Malherbe in the quartier Richebourg in Nantes, France. Founded in 1469 by Duke François II de Bretagne and initially dedicated to Saint Antoine de Padoue, its construction began in 1470. The first part of the building took ten years, and the choir was completed in 1481. Inaugurated by Bishop Pierre du Chaffault in the presence of the duke, it was originally named chapelle Saint-Antoine-de-Pade.
In 1483, François II donated the chapel to the order of the Minimes, founded by Saint François de Paule, despite opposition from mendicant orders already established in Nantes. The chapel later became known as chapelle des Minimes after 1604 and took its current name after 1855. It was damaged in an aerial bombing on June 16, 1944, then restored in 1946. The building has been listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since February 21, 1911, and was registered again in 1991. Restoration work has continued in recent decades, including work on the roof, timber frame, interior, west facade, and forecourt.
Nearby Objects
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Nantes Museum of Arts 150 m away -
Cours Saint-Pierre and Saint-André 200 m away -
Tomb of Francis II 300 m away -
Nantes Cathedral 300 m away -
Lamoricière cenotaph 300 m away
Name Changes and Heritage Status
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculee-Conception is a religious building on rue Malherbe in the quartier Richebourg in Nantes, France. Construction began in 1470. Over time, the chapel changed names several times: it was first called chapelle Saint-Antoine-de-Pade, then renamed chapelle des Minimes after 1604, and took its present name, chapelle Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculee-Conception, after 1855. In 1991, it was registered in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments.
Origins and Early History
The chapel was initially dedicated to Saint Antoine de Padoue and founded in 1469 by Duke Francois II de Bretagne. Its creation was linked to the wish of the duke's first wife, Marguerite de Bretagne, before her death. The site is located east of Nantes' ramparts and includes the land of la Bregeolliere east of the motte Saint-Pierre. Construction of the first part began in 1470 and continued for ten years, with the choir completed in 1481. The chapel, named Saint-Antoine-de-Pade, was inaugurated by Bishop Pierre du Chaffault in the presence of the duke. Francois II also founded a chaplaincy there. In 1483, he donated the chapel to the order of the Minimes, founded by Saint Francois de Paule, despite opposition from mendicant orders already established in Nantes. Marie de Medicis' donation later made it possible to complete the building.
Restoration History and Heritage Status
The chapel has been listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since February 21, 1911. It was damaged in an aerial bombing during World War II on June 16, 1944, and restored in 1946. More recent conservation work has focused on successive parts of the building. Between 2001 and 2004, the roof and timber frame were restored at a public cost exceeding about 1 million euros. The interior was restored between 2009 and 2010 with funding of about 1 million euros from the diocese of Nantes. In 2011, a project was launched to restore the west facade and forecourt at a cost slightly over 1 million euros. Restoration of the other facades remains under study, and the works are being carried out by heritage architect Muriel Richard.
Architecture and Interior Design
The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-l'Immacule9e-Conception was built in granite and tuffeau by Architecture et decor. The same firm also designed the interior in a flamboyant Gothic style. These material and stylistic choices define the chapel's architectural character and give it a distinct historical appearance.