Couvent des Carmes Déchaussées, Historical convent in central Toulouse, France
The Carmelites Barefoot convent is a religious building in central Toulouse with a single nave, lateral chapels, and a flat chevet adorned with painted artworks. The original layout included cloisters and a vaulted crypt that remain visible today.
The convent was founded in the early 17th century and held its first mass in 1623. In 1820 it was transformed into a medical school, redirecting its purpose to education.
The name refers to the Carmelites Barefoot, a reform movement that emphasized simplicity and spiritual devotion. Visitors today can observe the religious artworks displayed throughout the interior that reflect this monastic tradition.
The former convent now functions as a natural history museum open to the public. The original cloister galleries are preserved and help visitors understand the layout of the earlier religious complex.
The crypt beneath the convent holds fourteen niches arranged across two levels in the northern wall, showing how monks used the underground space. This hidden structure reveals the thoughtful design that went into every part of the building.
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