Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, Chapel in Valréas, France
The Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs is a listed chapel in the center of Valréas, a town in Provence in southern France. Its plain stone exterior contrasts with a richly decorated interior featuring painted wooden panels, trompe-l'oeil wall painting, and a large altarpiece.
The brotherhood of the White Penitents was founded in Valréas in 1507, as recorded in a founding document still held in the archives. The current building replaced an earlier chapel destroyed by the Huguenots, and was expanded over the following centuries.
The chapel takes its name from the white robes worn by the brotherhood members during prayer and ceremonies. Inside, the painted wooden ceiling with gold accents makes it the most ornate building in town.
The chapel sits in the center of Valréas and is easy to reach on foot. It opens only at certain times, so it is worth checking in advance, especially outside of summer.
The plain exterior was intentionally designed to hide the richness inside, yet a finely crafted iron grille from 1769 still marks the entrance. A stone collection box on the outer wall bears an inscription indicating that the money gathered was meant for prisoners.
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