Französische Kapelle, Military chapel in Soest, Germany.
The Französische Kapelle is a 7.5 by 6 metre chapel in Block I of the Colonel-BEM-Adam-Kaserne in Soest, painted in 1940 by French officers held in Oflag VI A. Each wall carries its own theme: the risen Christ with six angels on the south wall, the works of mercy on the west slope, a Pietà to the north and a borderless map of France with its saints to the east. Blue, white and red dominate the scheme.
French military officers captured in Lorraine in 1940 transformed a barracks room into a place of worship during their captivity. The camp became part of Germany's prisoner management during World War Two.
The chapel displays murals created by imprisoned French artists during their confinement. These artworks reflect the creative spirit of the captives and remain visible on the walls today.
The space is compact and allows straightforward access for visitors exploring the museum exhibits. It is advisable to check opening hours and available tours in advance, as the chapel is part of a larger complex.
The chapel's murals were painted by René Coulon and Guillaume Gillet, both graduates of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Each wall carries its own theme: the risen Christ with six angels on the south wall, the works of mercy on the west slope, a Pietà on the north wall, and a borderless map of France with its saints on the east wall.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,410 contributors worldwide.