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Couvent Sainte-Marie

Historical sites and monuments in Châlons-en-Champagne
  • The former Sainte-Marie convent has been protected as a Historic Monument since 1943.
    Its main facade was built using a simple limestone structure, known as Pierre de Savonnières, and decorated with three statues of the Virgin, Saint Augustine and Saint Pierre Fourier which disappeared during the Revolution.
    Upstairs, the facades feature patterns composed of alternating brick and chalk.

    The interior of the former Sainte-Marie convent cannot be visited except during special events such as...
    The former Sainte-Marie convent has been protected as a Historic Monument since 1943.
    Its main facade was built using a simple limestone structure, known as Pierre de Savonnières, and decorated with three statues of the Virgin, Saint Augustine and Saint Pierre Fourier which disappeared during the Revolution.
    Upstairs, the facades feature patterns composed of alternating brick and chalk.

    The interior of the former Sainte-Marie convent cannot be visited except during special events such as the European Patrimony Days. However, you can admire its magnificent architecture from rue de Jessaint and in the courtyard.

    ITS HISTORY :

    Established in Châlons in 1613, the congregation of the nuns of Notre-Dame was dedicated to the free education of young girls.
    Faced with the success of its teaching, the Chalonnaise community expanded its convent between 1631 and 1636. Built according to the plans of the Lorraine architect Jean Pacquotte, on the site of houses located rue de la Monnaie and Sainte-Croix, it was according to local tradition called "Saint Mary's convent" because of the presence of a statue of the Virgin surmounting an entrance.

    During the 17th and 18th centuries, the complex was completed to the south by the construction of convent buildings, a portal, and a new chapel, according to the plans of the architect Robert de Cotte.

    During the revolutionary unrest, the congregation was dissolved and the buildings assigned to use as barracks in 1792, as a grain store in 1794, then as a cotton mill between 1806 and 1827. The chapel and the convent were demolished between 1809 and 1812 .

    The Major Seminary was established in the remaining buildings in 1827, but the dilapidation of the premises forced the seminarians to leave the premises at the beginning of the 20th century. The unoccupied buildings were then destroyed. Only the west wing was preserved and housed the police station from 1942 to 1991.
    In 1995, the General Council of Marne restored the old convent which it reserved for departmental services.
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