THE LITTLE CHAPEL
Read moreThis chapel, tiny as its name suggests, was built between 1914 and 1923. Its builder, Brother Déodat, wanted to build a replica of the Lourdes basilica. He was a member of the Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle congregation, a great founder of schools and of an order known in France as the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Déodat also created several schools in the large building above the chapel, thanks to donations from Catholic communities in Europe and even America, who supported the work. The chapel, however, took him 3 tries. The first chapel, deemed ugly, was demolished. The second couldn't even accommodate the bishop and his retinue who came to consecrate it. The third is just as small (5 m x 3 m, 2.75 m high) and just as unattractive, though well worth the detour and highly original, with its interior and exterior lining of shells, pebbles and locally-colored porcelain.
It has its own crypt and a grotto of the Notre-Dame de Lourdes type. It has never been consecrated, except perhaps to the British Crown, judging by the portraits of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V on the walls.
Today, a foundation has been set up to maintain the edifice, after having completely restored it. This highly photogenic tourist site makes a pleasant detour during your visit to the island. Remember to leave a small donation to help conserve the chapel.