Chapelle de la malouinière de la Chipaudière

The Chapelle de la malouinière de la Chipaudière is a small manor chapel in Saint-Malo, part of the historic Chipaudière estate — one of the largest malouinières, the country residences once built by wealthy shipowners and privateers from Saint-Malo. The estate sits in Paramé, a former independent town later merged into Saint-Malo.

Where did this chapel come from?

The Chipaudière estate was built between 1710 and 1720 for François-Auguste Magon de la Lande, a shipowner and privateer active under Louis XIV who also served as a director of the French East India Company. The residence was designed to combine a country retreat with a statement of wealth for a family whose fortune came from maritime trade and long-distance shipping. Alongside the main house, outbuildings and a garden, the property included its own chapel — a common feature of malouinières, allowing the family and household staff to attend services without traveling into town.

An interesting detail concerns the chapel's origins: its foundation stone came from an earlier chapel that had been demolished elsewhere, with the remains transferred to Chipaudière and reused in the construction of the new building.

What will you see inside?

The chapel was blessed in 1735 and is dedicated to Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Our Lady of the Assumption), with the date 1732 marked on the building itself as its year of construction. Inside, visitors will find a carved wooden altar, typical of private chapels from this period, where fine woodwork was meant to reflect both the piety and the social standing of the family who commissioned it. On the outside, a small bell tower, or campanile, is a distinctive architectural feature shared by many rural and manorial chapels across Brittany.

The entire estate — manor house, outbuildings, chapel and garden — was listed as a historic monument (monument historique) on 2 February 1982, recognizing the historical and architectural value of the whole complex rather than the main residence alone.

How to get there, and can you visit?

The malouinière de la Chipaudière is located in Saint-Malo, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, in Brittany. Although the estate remains private property, it is open to visitors — a notable exception among malouinières, many of which still function as private residences closed to the public. It offers a rare chance to see up close how a wealthy shipowning family lived in 18th-century Saint-Malo, a city whose fortune was built on shipping and privateering.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, summer and early autumn are the best times to visit, when the garden and surrounding grounds look their best and conditions for exploring the outdoor areas are most comfortable. It's also worth keeping an eye on France's Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), held every September, when properties like Chipaudière often open with special guided visits.

Frequently asked questions

What is a malouinière? It's a type of country residence built by wealthy shipowners and privateers from Saint-Malo from the late 17th through the 18th century, blending the character of a town mansion with that of a rural manor.

Who commissioned the chapel at Chipaudière? The estate, including its chapel, was built for François-Auguste Magon de la Lande, a shipowner and privateer active under Louis XIV who was also linked to the French East India Company.

Who is the chapel dedicated to? The chapel is dedicated to Notre-Dame de l'Assomption and was blessed in 1735.

Can the chapel be visited? Yes. Although the wider malouinière estate remains private property, it is open for visits.