Ancien couvent de la Merci

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The Order of Mercy was founded by Pierre de Nolasque in 1215. The house on rue de Chaume was the most important of the order. It was Marie de Médicis who had these lands assigned to it. Although the inscription on the portal indicates that the convent was rebuilt from 1727 to 1737 by Godeau, examination of the buildings proves that older elements dating from the 17th century survive. If the church was demolished, the convent buildings survive. The edifice adopts a U-shaped plan: the portal with tympanum with round-arch arcatures bears a cartouche of black marble with the inscription built by Godeau. However, old carpentry from the 17th century survives in the south wing. To the south as to the north, at ground level, there are arcades in accordance with the 1687 plan. The façades are fairly homogeneous, three storeys pierced with rectangular openings. A moulded cornice emphasizes the entire edifice. The staircase has retained the plan of the original drawing, but features a banister in an advanced 18th-century style. The roof has retained mechanical tiles which it would be desirable that current works remedy.