Chapel of Our Lady of Health

The chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Sante

At the entrance to the Pont-Vieux, the Carcassonne audio-guided tour points out the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Sante. A small religious building still marked by contemplation, it recalls the long charitable and spiritual vocation of this crossing point towards the City.

An ancient place of worship

Also called Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont, the chapel once adjoined a large hospital where families came to pray for the sick. A simple sanctuary in the 15th century, it became a chapel in 1497 and was enlarged in 1527 thanks to the bequest of Jean de Saix. A religious building already stood there before, raised in the 12th century by viscount Raymond Roger to celebrate the completion of a bridge over the Aude.

What there is to see

Confiscated as national property during the Revolution, the chapel became a private house and then lost much of its Flamboyant Gothic decoration. A bishop bought it back in 1857 to restore its original function. Restored since, it has recovered its former appearance and deserves a glance, in the calm proper to this kind of place.

Practical information

The chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Sante is at the entrance to the Pont-Vieux, on the Bastide Saint-Louis side. A small building, it is mainly seen from the outside; its opening hours may be limited and variable depending on the season. As a place of worship, the usual calm and respect are observed there.

Why does this chapel bear this name ?

It once adjoined a hospital where people came to pray for the sick, which gave it its name of Notre-Dame-de-Sante.

What became of the chapel during the Revolution ?

Confiscated as national property, it served as a private house before being bought back in 1857 and returned to worship.