Chapelle des Augustins - Jeu de Paume - Rennes, Historical sports venue and chapel in Centre district, Rennes, France
The Chapelle des Augustins is a listed monument in Rennes combining a historic chapel with a jeu de paume court under one roof. The complex integrates an older stone structure with modern additions along rue Saint-Louis.
Dendrochronology of its roof timbers dates the wood to 1605–1607, so the building was raised in the early 17th century, not in 1607 exactly. Known as "Le Pélican", it was sold in 1686 by Palasne de la Ménardière to Charles Ferret for the bishopric of Rennes, and the Eudist grand séminaire installed a chapel there, adding a transept and a timber vault.
The building's name comes from its conversion into a chapel for the Eudist grand seminary, not from Augustinian nuns. A Latin inscription on the south facade, dated 1690 and drawn from Genesis 28:17, reads "Non est hic aliud nisi domus dei et porta cæli". Since December 2019 the restored hall has served as an intergenerational neighbourhood facility alongside the adjoining salle de La Cité.
The venue sits in central Rennes and is well served by public transit options. Visitors should note that it functions as an active community space, so not all areas may be freely accessible at all times.
The 2011 dendrochronology dated the roof timbers to 1605-1607, so the building's construction year is still unknown but its frame is early 17th century. The 2014 Inrap excavation uncovered the carreau and spectator galleries, elements that had disappeared from view.
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