Chapelle Saint-Bernard-de-Montparnasse, Catholic chapel at Montparnasse railway station, Paris, France
Chapelle Saint-Bernard-de-Montparnasse is a religious space located in the basement level of Montparnasse station, reached through a side entrance on the station's left facade. The interior features a minimalist design by sculptor Pierre de Grauw, with an altar and a distinctive wheel-shaped tabernacle constructed from railway sleepers.
The chapel was created in 1954 as part of Montparnasse station's renovation, initiated by Victor Bucaille who sought to establish a spiritual space within the modernized facility. It was dedicated to Saint Bernard in memory of his son, who had died in 1946.
The chapel is dedicated to Saint Bernard and functions as a spiritual refuge within a busy transportation hub, serving travelers and staff seeking a moment of reflection. Its existence reflects a belief in the importance of faith even in modern, secular spaces like railway stations.
The chapel is accessible during regular station hours and can be visited alongside time spent at the railway station's main level. Note that it is located below ground, so allow extra time to locate and reach the entrance.
The wheel-shaped tabernacle constructed from discarded railway sleepers ties the chapel's spiritual purpose to the station's industrial heritage in an unexpected way. This creative reuse of transport materials for a religious object remains notably rare and gives the space its distinctive character.
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