Réfectoire du Palais Saint-Pierre, Baroque refectory at Museum of Fine Arts, Lyon, France
The Réfectoire du Palais Saint-Pierre is a rectangular dining hall with rich baroque decoration located in Lyon. The room features south-facing windows, walnut-paneled walls, and elaborate stucco figures adorning the upper areas that define its distinctive character.
The dining hall was designed between 1680 and 1687 by architect Thomas Blanchet as part of the reconstruction of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre-les-Nonnains. The building incorporates Roman-inspired architectural elements that shape its design and structural composition.
The wall paintings depict biblical scenes created between 1684 and 1686, showing religious moments such as the Last Supper that shape the room's appearance today. These artworks tell religious stories visually and remain central to how visitors experience the space.
The hall is accessible during the operating hours of the Museum of Fine Arts, where visitors can examine the architectural features and decorative elements at their own pace. It is helpful to allow time to observe the visual details on the walls and upper sections.
Simon Guillaume created the elaborate stucco figures based on Blanchet's designs, giving the room its characteristic ornamentation. Marc Chabry complemented this work by sculpting the coats of arms around the central window for Abbess Antoinette de Chaulnes.
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