The old chapel of the Black Penitents Briançon is located in the Hautes-Alpes, a town famous also for its fortifications designed by Vauban.
The building was built during the second half of the sixteenth century to house the offices of the local Brotherhood of Black Penitents, founded in 1582, which brought together people from all walks anxious to help the poor, visiting the sick and attend as appropriate to their funeral.
The beautifully crafted square bell tower was not completed until 1621 and the porch in 1735.
Closed at the time of the Revolution, the chapel opened in 1904 for some time only: around 1930, the disused building was bought by a particular who laid a cinema inside (part of the sign is still visible). The site, however, was the victim of a fire in 1947 and the interior of the chapel remains as film elements were partially looted.
The "walls" of the old chapel bought by the city in 1968, the tower was restored and in 1973 it was the subject of protection as historical monuments.
Alas, another fire occurred in 1987 in the framework. A few last items of furniture or ornaments were now transferred to the collegiate church of the city, like a carved set of the Virgin.
Pending a possible reconstruction of the whole, only remains of the old chapel's bell tower. To observe during a free or guided tour of the historic center. Information +33 4 92 20 29 49.
