Chapelle des Pelotes, France

Chapelle des Pelotes is an abandoned chapel in northern France. While the seminary has signs of renovation, this chapel has thus far been neglected. We visited the chapel in the spring of 2018, during our Easter Chateau Tour.

Key architectural features of the chapel

The internal roof architecture of Chapelle des Pelotes is ogival. Ogival architecture is a defining characteristic of gothic architecture. Transversing the tall vaulted ceiling are a series of intersecting ridges. The formal name for these ceiling ridges are ogives. These pointed arched-structures are very narrow and steeply pointed. Commonly, these arches are called a lancet arch.

The chapel features a triforium; a gallery level lining the nave, separated from the nave by arcades. This shallow walkway encircles the nave as a kind of mezzanine floor, connecting a platform above the main entrance. The triforium, in this case, is at the same level as the clerestory windows. It is quite rare for churches without aisles to have triforium, making this chapel a rare example as it lacks lateral aisle.

Statues of saints line the walls of the nave, level with the triforium walkway.

History of Chapelle des Pelotes

Constructing of Chapelle des Pelotes started in the mid-1800s. The diocese commissioned a highly regarded architect to build this ecclesiastical building. Before the construction was complete, the architect died suddenly. Subsequently, an Abbot assumed charge of this project after the death of the architect.

The seminary closed in the early 1990s. This closure was related to a “crisis of faith” in France; the number of practising Catholics and new baptisms began to decline in the late 1980s and 1990s. Many churches were closed during this period of upheaval in the church. Chapelle des Pelotes was one of those casualties of the changing political and religious climate in France.

The seminary was re-purposed shortly after. The site was used as a home for ex-servicemen for several years, before being closed down around 2000.