LA CHAPELLE SAINTE RADEGONDE

Chapel located in the commune of La Genétouze, in the heart of the Vendée, 10 minutes from La Roche sur Yon.

Local tradition has it that Queen Radegonde (519-587), pursued by the soldiers of King Clotaire I, took refuge here: the oats miraculously grew to conceal the sovereign.
In reality, the chapel was built when Richard the Lionheart founded the Premonstratensian monastery at Lieu Dieu in 1190.
Although the building was damaged during the Wars of Religion in 1568, it was not destroyed during the French Revolution.
Left to its own devices, the chapel fell into ruin in 1850, before being rebuilt identically by Abbé Joseph Orceau. The foundation stone was blessed on 15 April 1863 and the chapel was inaugurated the following 22 July.
The following year, the Bishop of Luçon donated a Gothic-style chase.
The chapel is open for the Sainte-Radegonde pilgrimage in August, for the European Heritage Days in September and by appointment (individuals or groups).