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Classed as a Historic Monument
 A
magnificent example of 15th and 16th century Flamboyant Gothic
art, this chapel is remarkable for its sculpted façade
and exceptionally brilliant pendant key stones, which adorn
its vaults
Introduction
The beauty of the chapel lies in the magnificently ornate
vaults and the upper Treasury for its stone filigree.
The extraordinary richness of its decoration, both internal
and external, is surprising. In a way it constitutes a culmination
of the Flamboyant style.
Externally, the façade shows a profusion of sculptures
composed of plant life settings and mouldings which occupy
the smallest of free spaces and which only emphasise the openings
and recesses of the statuary. The archivolts, damaged during
the Revolution, show Christ’s Passion. The statuary of
the tympanum, representing the seven sorrows of the Virgin
together with Louis XI and Isabel of Portugal kneeling as
donors, was created in the 19th century by the Duthoit brothers,
replacing scenes which illustrated the story of the "miraculous
crucifix".
Inside, one enters by the Narthex whose very high vault is
adorned with an impressive pendant key stone. To the right
an archway, which has a tympanum with ornamental apertures,
opens onto the chapel.
On the wall to the right, the three large paintings date
from the end of the 19th century and are the work of a local
artist, Siffait de Montcourt.
The decorative profusion is such that it literally makes
the architectural structure of the vaults disappear in a network
studded with strutting, tiercerons and elaborately worked
pendant key stones.
The statuaries of the arches trace the legend of the "miraculous
crucifix".
To the right of the Narthex, 16th century sculpted doors
lead to the Treasury, today a spectacular store of lapidary,
which was intended to accommodate pilgrims’ offerings.
The upper room, delicately sculpted, houses a fine stone
altarpiece.
History of the monument
The chapel was, originally, built on the left flank of the
first parish church, to house a mysterious and miraculous
crucifix, washed up on the shore at Rue in August 1101. From
the 12th century, pilgrims, including many kings, came to
Rue to pray to it.
In the 15th century pilgrimage gained new life as a result
of the interest showed in it by Isabel of Portugal, Duchess
of Burgundy and wife of Philip the Good, who made several
large donations to the Chapel. At that time the chapel only
existed yet on three bays of the eastern part to the left
of the present day doorway.
In 1480, Louis XI, who came to re-conquer Ponthieu, made
a donation of 4000 écus (» crowns) and 400 Tours
pounds to embellish the building so that "this chapel
shall be better kept, decorated and adorned".
Then the building was completed between 1506 and 1514 with
a main doorway and two low rooms to house the Treasury.
Practical info
Opening times
- Chapelle du Saint-Esprit
Free unaccompanied tour of the Narthex
from 05/02 to 01/11 every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and
from 17/12 to 02/01 (except Sundays and bank holidays)
10 am-6 pm.
In July and August : guided tour from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Other times : upon request at
the Rue Tourist Office.
-Chapelle de l'Hospice
Guided tour in July/August combined
with the visit of the Chapelle du Saint-Esprit or a part of
the town of Rue.
Prices
Guided tour : 2 € per person
Rue Tourist Office
54, rue Porte de Bécray
80 120 Rue
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 25 69 94 Fax : +33 (0)3 22 25
76 26
E-mail : officedutourisme.rue80@wanadoo.fr
Website : www.ville-rue.fr
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