Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Ménour, Medieval chapel in Moulinet, France
Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Ménour is a medieval chapel in Moulinet, France, situated on a rocky outcrop at roughly 780 meters elevation. The building overlooks the Bevera Valley with a mix of architectural styles from different periods, and visitors reach it by climbing stone steps from a bridge below.
The chapel was originally built in the 12th century as part of fortification structures serving both religious and defensive purposes. Major renovations in the 17th century gave it the form it retains today.
The chapel holds meaning for local communities who gather here for religious occasions throughout the year. These gatherings reflect deep ties to the valley and show how the site remains woven into the rhythm of village life.
Access is via a classified historical staircase that begins from a bridge on the Sospel-Moulinet road. The climb is short but steep, and parking is limited, so arriving early helps secure a spot.
Inside the chapel are two distinct apses from different building phases, with an irregular 12th-century design standing alongside a more geometric structure added later. This layering of architecture tells the story of how the building evolved over time.
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