SAINT-MICHEL DU MONTAIGU
CHAPEL

SAINT-MICHEL DU MONTAIGU
CHAPEL

The Montaigu chapel occupies one of the prestigious peaks of Mayenne (290 meters above sea level and offering a magnificent panorama over the Coëvrons bocage), a department in the Pays de la Loire region.

Built in 1402 by the will of the lords of the Château du Rocher, just like the hermitage whose ruins are still visible at the foot of the chapel, it was dedicated to St. Michael and welcomed pilgrims on their way to Mont-Saint-Michel. Occupied until 1840, the hermitage housed a bread oven and a cellar, and in the walled garden stood a long, narrow building serving as a shelter for pilgrims. The granite altar is also original and contrasts with the modern stained-glass windows.

Since the 12th century, pilgrims coming from Tours and heading for Mont-Saint-Michel have crossed the Mayenne by taking the "Grand Chemin Montais" now marked by the GR®365.

It is said that the Devil wanted to reconquer the paradise from which he had been banished by Saint Michael himself. He set out to find a way to get closer to heaven. He began to erect a mountain of earth and stones from which he could reach the sky to seize it by surprise. One day, he climbed the hill under construction and saw in the distance the sea and a magnificent white tower pointing towards the heavens and much higher than the hill. Determined to make it his own, he rushed to see it to climb to the top, but it was there that he saw the silhouette of Saint Michael. The latter, seeing the envious Devil, offered him an exchange, the Devil hastened to take possession of Mont-Saint-Michel, not noticing that he was sinking into the sands. In rage and shame, he returned to the depths of hell. Saint Michael, for his part, flew from Montaigu to the heavens. It is said that the chapel was built on the exact spot where the Archangel left the earth to reach heaven.