Chapel of the Penitent

This was built in the 12th century to welcome the parishioners of Beaulieu. Before its construction, people had to attend the mass in the church of Sioniac (3kms up the hill), the former parish. Entry to the Abbey was actually strictly reserved for pilgrims except for the Saint-Prime and Saint-Félicien chapel, the subordinate parish of Beaulieu. Partly destroyed during the Hundred Years War, the port-haut church was restored at the bishop’s request thanks to a rich family (Roquet d’Estresses family) who lent some money to the consulate. It was sold off as part of the national estate during the French Revolution. It was bought in 1820 by the Blue Penitents Brotherhood. They gathered to pray and do penance. They wore blue robes and their faces were hidden by hoods. The costume aimed at putting all the friars on an equal footing. The friars had marvellous processions. This brotherhood, created in the 17th century, vanished little by little and finally disappeared in 1867 after having had great importance in the town. Nowadays, the Chapelle des Pénitents with its wonderful wall-steeple (or comb-shaped steeple) and its bells belongs to the town which restored it in 1990, and it houses a small local history museum and numerous temporary exhibitions.