Le site de la chapelle

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Préfailles was built in the mid-19th century on the initiative of the inhabitants and holidaymakers of the village, which at the time was still part of the commune of La Plaine. Later enlarged, this unique religious building in Préfailles is still used for religious ser...

Construction of Notre-Dame de Préfailles (Our Lady of the Dunes)

It was in 1849 that the inhabitants of Préfailles and some holidaymakers decided to build the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Préfailles. Work began in 1851.
Préfailles residents themselves took part in the construction, including some young girls who drove ox carts to transport the building materials (stones, sand, bricks).
During the bathing seasons, large amounts of money were collected from summer visitors.

Dominating the Grande Plage, the chapel was completed in 1852.
Initially called the Notre-Dame des dunes chapel, it was later given the name of Notre-Dame de Préfailles chapel, which it still bears today.
The chapel was blessed on 8 July 1854 by the Bishop of Nantes, Mgr Jacquemet.

It was enlarged between 1890 and 1900 with the addition of two side chapels.

Its simple nave opens onto a choir, which for a long time was decorated with a marine fresco painted in 1958 by the artist René-Achille Rousseau-Decelle (1881-1964). Rousseau-Decelle had his second home, Ker Noémi, on the corniche de la Source. The painter came to Préfailles every year to recharge his batteries. A regular visitor to the nearby Margareth beach, he enjoyed fishing. He spent long periods composing landscapes, seascapes and portraits. Unfortunately, the fresco partially collapsed in 2013 and had to be removed.

The exterior of the chapel was restored by the local council in 1994.
The chapel had been without its cross since a storm in March 2008. A new cross was inaugurated in October 2023.


The chapel plateau

The landscaped seaside plateau surrounding the chapel is a real curiosity. This shared and undivided property still belongs to around fifty former Préfailles families.
Any permanent construction is naturally forbidden and the few activities that take place there are under the control of the association, which is the guarantor.

Opposite, a number of beautiful villas attract attention, including the most famous, the villa Caprice, which belonged to the Tabarly family, where Éric spent many holidays as a child.

Still dedicated to religious services, the chapel hosts renowned classical music concerts in summer.

To consult the mass schedule for the parish of Notre-Dame de la Côte de Jade, click here.

A little extra: The Notre-Dame chapel can be discovered by following the "History of Préfailles" heritage interpretation trail.