Wednesday 10 February 2010

Wednesday Doorway: le couvent des Récollets

The Récollets convent was built in 1684 as planned by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The Franciscan monks of this monastery were army chaplains appointed by the king. During the French Revolution, the building was converted into a prison. Now a military property, only the façade and cloister remain.
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Ce couvent de religieux franciscains affectés par le roi à l'aumônerie militaire, construit en 1684 sur les plans de Jules Hardouin-Mansart, fut transformé en prison à la Révolution. Désormais domaine militaire, il n'en reste que la façade et le cloître.

27 comments:

Lowell said...

A beautiful door...that blue is striking!

Interesting story, too. I always thought it funny that armies had to have God's messengers as a party to their war-making.

I've argued for a long time here that the government has no business making chaplains members of the armed forces and paying their way.

The chaplains are a huge problem these days! Which is another long and involved story!

Bob Crowe said...

Cynics might ask about the difference between a monastery and a prison. In either case, the way of life is prescribed.

Woody said...

What a beautiful facade! I love the blue door and the details in the stone.

A l a i n said...

Avant une institution de jeune fille; maintenant une institution de jeune gens tout pour fait un monde qui tourne .

Dina said...

Franciscans as army chaplains??
From convent to prison??
Oi veh!

Sharon said...

Great building and I love the story behind it.

Sharon

Tash said...

The royal blue is really striking - it is rare to see colored doors here (or maybe I'm just not looking hard enough). The overall doorway is very nice too.

Olivier said...

dans un sens Couvent/Prison/Armée ;o))

VP said...

I like this blue and the story sounds quite familiar. The scooter either.

tapirgal said...

Those Revolutionaries never ran out of "practical" things to do to nice buildings, did they? It is interesting history.

Paulie said...

What a beautiful entrance! Interesting history also and I am glad that some of it remains for others to learn about the history of it.

I see I missed three other posts below also so shall go and comment there too. I don't know how I miss them -- guess they don't show up on my list sometimes. . .

Small City Scenes said...

I love the blue door. Interesting story too.
My Mother painted her house door bright red. It looked great but I do love the blue. there are lots of blue doors where you live.

MB

Malyss said...

le mélange religieux/militaire me laisse toujours dubitative..mais la porte est magnifique, et l'on retrouve toujours ce bleu si typique de Versailles..
Bonne journée!

Alain said...

A Paris, le couvent des Récollets, près de la gare de l'est a été bien restauré, et il n'a pas été cédé à l'armée : c'est un lieu de résidence pour les artistes étrangers.

Cezar and Léia said...

I've enlarged it, stunning details, I loved those beautiful angels!
Léia

Halcyon said...

Another lovely door. It's too bad more of the original building does not remain.

brattcat said...

I didn't realize how big the door was until I looked at the motorcycles. Thank you for giving us this perspective.

B SQUARED said...

I find it amusing it went from a monastery to a prison.

BaysideLife said...

Another beautiful blue doorway. Love the details, especially the sheaf of what looks like wheat and flowers? in the pediment. This doorway has quite a history.

Gattina said...

J'ai lu le Couvent des "recollés" , lol

Unknown said...

Love the blue and the decorations! I bet the cloisters must be great too.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Another beautiful doorway, very large and very blue. Thank you for the history, also. Was an image removed at the center of the pediment?

stromsjo said...

What about those angels above the doorway?

Anonymous said...

Thats quite the political statement to make a monastery into a prison.

Quite saddening. :(

Brabourne Farm said...

What a fabulous blue - perfect for a front door! Leigh

Catherine said...

De multiples fonctions mais la porte reste là immuable.....la couleur peut être a changé. Ca lui va bien.

Clueless in Boston said...

Another beautiful blue door. Wonderful facade too.