Chapelle Notre Dame de Beaulieu à Liré

A Treasure of History and Serenity in Liré. Located in the heart of J. du Bellay country, the Chapelle de Beaulieu is a 14th-century jewel that has survived the ages thanks to the passion of its inhabitants. Much more than a simple building, it tells the story of a community's attachment to its h...

A Medieval Foundation
The earliest references to this sanctuary date back to 1377, in documents relating to the lords of Bain. In 1410, it became the property of Jean de la Brunetière. Originally dedicated to Saint Mark, it was a very popular place of pilgrimage where people came from far and wide to seek protection for their harvests and earthly possessions.
The Anecdote of ‘Shared Responsibility’
At the end of the 16th century, an unusual legal dispute arose between the monks of the priory, the chaplain of Beaulieu and the parish priest of Liré. Whilst all were disputing ownership of the site for the sake of the offerings, none wished to bear the cost of repairing the building. The verdict at the time was a model of wisdom and became a golden rule for the monument: ‘whoever makes use of it must provide for its upkeep’.
The ‘Catacombs Chapel’
One of the most significant episodes in its history took place during the French Revolution. Whilst the church at Liré was being destroyed, the little chapel at Beaulieu remained intact. Its secret weapon? It was so well concealed beneath a thick canopy of trees that it served as a secret refuge, or ‘catacombs’, for celebrating clandestine Masses.

A Revival Led by the Local Community
After several periods of neglect, the chapel underwent two major waves of restoration:
• In 1950: Spurred on by Father Georges Allard, volunteers and craftsmen joined forces to save the building, celebrating a pontifical Mass to mark its rebirth.
• In 1985: The local council signed a 99-year lease to ensure its long-term future and entrusted its management to the association ‘Les Amis de la Chapelle’.
A Showcase for Local Craftsmanship
Today, the chapel is a veritable gallery of regional craftsmanship:
• The Compagnons du Devoir crafted the granite benches and the Maltese cross, and carried out repairs to the altar.
• The art of Fuilet: The terracotta statues were modelled by local artists, Madeleine de la Rougerie and Marie-Jo.
• Light: The stained-glass windows, installed thanks to donors, symbolically depict the vineyard and the harvest.

This special place of gathering continues to come to life every year, particularly during the Rogation celebrations, thus perpetuating a centuries-old tradition in a magnificent natural setting.

Podcast in English: https://cdt49.media.tourinsoft.com/upload/Podcast---Tell-me-about-the-chapel-of-Beaulieu.mp3
Podcast in French: https://cdt49.media.tourinsoft.com/upload/Podcast---Raconte-moi-la-chapelle-de-Beaulieu.mp3