Chapelle de Prigny, Romanesque chapel in Les Moutiers-en-Retz, France
Chapelle de Prigny is a small Romanesque chapel in Les Moutiers-en-Retz on the Atlantic coast. The walls are thick and whitewashed, the openings feature rounded arches, and the interior holds decorated altars and stone figures.
The building dates to the 11th century and rose on the remains of an early Roman settlement. It served as a watchtower of sorts, positioned to overlook the Bay of Bourgneuf and the Roman roads that crossed the region.
The chapel is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and this connection shapes the interior space even today. The altar and carved stone figures inside reflect the saints who mattered to worshippers across the centuries.
The site is currently closed for restoration work and will reopen once the work is finished. Visitors should check ahead or inquire locally to confirm the current status before making a trip.
The chapel runs north to south rather than following the traditional east to west orientation of churches from its era. This quirk leaves visitors and historians wondering why the builders chose such an unusual alignment.
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