La Chapelle Sainte-Marie - Nevers - France Editorial Image

Sainte-Marie Chapel, located on rue Saint Martin, is the former church of the Convent of the Visitation. It was built in the 17th century. It is distinguished by its baroque facade, unique in Nivernais and rare in France. It is the only vestige of the convent of the visitation, religious order founded in 1610 by Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jeanne de Chantal. The presence of these nuns is much criticized. They buy houses to enlarge and depopulate the street. The Saint Martin abbey then agrees to give part of its land to the nuns who can thus build the convent and the chapel. Marie de Gonzague laid the foundation stone of the chapel in 1639 and the monument is completed in 1643.rnAt the Revolution the sisters leave their convent which becomes national property which is then ceded to the Sisters of the Charity of Nevers in 1806. In 1927, the convent is sold by the State to the city of Nevers which destroys the buildings and by mistake the chorus of nuns integral part of the chapel already listed in the register of historical monuments.rnrnInside, the altarpiece made in 1641 by the sculptor of the facade, Claude Collignon is remarkable. One can admire the painting of the Visitation of the Virgin framed by black marble columns surmounted by gilded capitals.rnrnIt is possible to visit during the summer period during open days inquire with the Municipal Heritage Animation Service for schedules.