Saint-Frézal was one of the most illustrious bishops of Gévaudan. He was murdered on September 4, 826, just south of La Canourgue by his nephew, Bucilinus, driven by the devil. Born around 780, he became bishop under the reign of Louis the Pious (son of Charlemagne). The “Saint-Frézal” chapel is dedicated to him.
Saint Frezal chapelSaint Frezal chapel
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Saint-Frézal chapel
One of the oldest churches in GévaudanAll about
saint-frézal chapel
Saint-Frézal chapelSaint-Frézal chapel|
La Canourgue seen from the Virgin.La Canourgue seen from the Virgin.|
DID YOU KNOW?
The Chapelle de Saint-Frézal is one of the oldest churches in Gévaudan (it already existed in 1060, when Saint-Martin donated it to the Abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille). In ruins at the beginning of the 17th century, it was repaired and possibly modified at that time. It was restored in the 1970s by members of the Confrérie de la Pouteille et du Manouls.
The church is in the Romanesque style, with 4 bays. The stained glass windows bear the coats of arms of the Pouteille and the town of Mende. The St Frézal spring, located just in front of the chapel, is a resurgence of water flowing from the Causse de Frayssinet. Legend also has it that, as far back as the time of the Druids, the spring was said to have healing properties.
The legend of Saint-Frézal
Legend has it that his nephew, having beheaded his uncle Saint-Frézal, picked up his severed head and brought it to his burial site. The chapel was later built on this site. Initially, the site of the St-Frézal chapel was a pagan place of worship, and a parish church dedicated to the saint was built there, under the auspices of the Saint-Martin monastery in La Canourgue.
The Saint-Frézal chapel and the Collégiale Saint-Martin are the last vestiges of this ancient monastery.
Saint-Frézal chapel
And its treasures
Many treasures are hidden inside the chapel, making it a protected monument, closed to the public (the door is open for viewing through a grate on fine days):
- Tapestries depicting the life of the saint (designed by Lucien Linget and sewn by ladies from La Canourgue)
- TheAltar, serving as a tomb, in which the body of St-Frézal is believed to be located: the tomb has been opened several times, and the body inside was studied and carbon-14 dated in 1992. The date of death is consistent with the legend, but the saint was not decapitated, but rather suffered a blow that shattered his skull. He would have been a man in his forties or fifties (similar to the saint’s age at the time of his death). A tall man (approx. 1.80 m), with a repaired tibia fracture: must have been limping slightly. Also found were walnut shells introduced by rats, coins bearing the effigies of Louis XI, Louis XIV and Louis XV, and the jawbone of a child aged around 5.
- Carved stone at the entrance: Saint-Frézal is shown kneeling with Bucilinus brandishing the sword that will decapitate him, while the devil embraces him to take him to hell. At the time, this stone was used as a dissection table for autopsies at La Canourgue hospital (before the Saint-Martin retirement home). Drawing by Lucien Linget, sculpted by Mme Daveluy.
Panoramic view of La Canourgue - Lot valleyPanoramic view of La Canourgue - Lot valley
DID YOU KNOW?
The tapestries inside the Saint-Frézal chapel depict the legend of Saint-Frézal:
- The first,“La gloire de St-Frézal” (the glory of St-Frézal): he reigned in Gévaudan, where he was bishop and finished converting the pagans.
- The second:“The Saint’s death“: Bucilinus, his nephew jealous of his power and fortune, beheads him.
- The third:“The murderer’s punishment“: his nephew is said to have been urged on by the devil, who, once the murder was completed, came to fetch him and take him to hell.
- Fourth and last:“The miracle of the oxen“: In 1628, the bishop of Mende wanted to bring the saint’s remains back to Saint-Privat in Mende, but it was impossible to get the saint through the gates. Some say that the remains were taken out of the chapel, but that the oxen leading the cart wouldn’t go beyond the fountain of the donkey, the boundary of the parish (this is the story depicted here).
- How to visit the Saint-Frézal chapel
On sunny days, the Saint-Frézal chapel in La Canourgue can be viewed from the gate, but access is not permitted. If you approach the gate, a surprise awaits you…
Guided tours of the chapel are organized in summer by the Confrérie de la Pouteille et du Manouls (more information in our diary).
During guided night tours of La Canourgue (a few Mondays in July and August only), enter the chapel of St-Frézal by night and let its history be told to you…
- How do I get to Chapelle Saint-Frézal?
The Saint-Frézal chapel is located outside the village of <a href=”https://www.aubrac-gorgesdutarn.com/en/discover/the-lot-valley/villages-of-the-lot-valley/la-canourgue/”>la Canourgue</a>, next to the Lycée Louis Pasteur. At the end of the small track running alongside the Saint-Frézal meadow, there’s a small parking lot where you can park. Once at the parking lot, take the dirt track leading to the chapel, often <strong>camouflaged</strong> behind the trees.
Prepare
