Église Notre-Dame-de-Recouvrance, Gothic church in Orléans, France
The Église Notre-Dame-de-Recouvrance is a Gothic church in Orléans featuring a tower topped with a lantern and a Renaissance-style entrance on its north side. The structure displays the typical Gothic characteristics with vertical lines and detailed stonework that mark its period of construction.
The church was built between 1513 and 1519 under architect Jean Mynier, replacing an older chapel that had been part of the city's defensive wall system. This new construction allowed for a standalone place of worship located away from the fortifications.
The chapel held deep meaning for river workers and sailors, who gathered here because of its position near the Loire port and trading routes. The building's location and role continue to reflect its connection to the community of people who worked the waters.
The church is located near the Loire River and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. Visitors can observe the bell system from inside the building, which features a manual rope mechanism that was restored in 2008.
The name Recouvrance comes from the prayers of sailors' wives who sought safe return of their husbands from river journeys. This reflects the deep connection between the place and the daily lives of people whose livelihoods depended on the water.
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