Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence

The Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence is a small chapel in southern France decorated and designed by Henri Matisse late in his life. The interior features large stained glass windows in blue, green, and yellow that flood the white walls with colored light, paired with black line drawings on ceramic tiles.

French artist Henri Matisse designed this chapel after World War II as one of his final major works, completing it between 1949 and 1951. Sister Jacques-Marie, who had previously nursed him through illness, worked closely with him to bring his artistic vision for this sacred space to life.

The chapel is named for the Rosary devotion and showcases Matisse's artistic vision throughout the space with simplified geometric drawings and carefully chosen colors. Visitors can experience how the artist's hand shaped every detail, from the walls to the vestments worn during services.

The chapel is open Monday through Saturday, and visitors should expect a small, intimate space with limited capacity for groups. Guided tours are available in multiple languages and help explain the artistic details throughout the interior.

Matisse designed six priest vestments with geometric patterns specifically to match the chapel's windows and wall drawings. These garments remain part of the services today and continue the artistic vision beyond the building itself.

Location: Vence

Inception: 1949

Architects: Auguste Perret, Louis-Bertrand Rayssiguier, Louis Milon de Peillon

Creator: Henri Matisse

Address: 466 avenue Henri-Matisse

Website: http://chapellematisse.com

GPS coordinates: 43.72750,7.11278

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:03