Chapelle Sainte-Roseline: Art, History, and Miracles in Provence

Nestled amidst the vineyards of Provence, the Chapelle Sainte-Roseline offers a unique experience blending history, art, and spirituality. Originally part of the Abbaye de la Celle-Roubaud, founded in the 11th century, the chapel itself was built around 1200 in the Provençal Romanesque style. Over the centuries, it has been owned by various religious orders, including the Templars, Benedictines, and Carthusians.The chapel is renowned for housing the remarkably preserved body of Sainte Roseline, a local saint born in 1263. Roseline, daughter of the Lord of Les Arcs, was known for her piety and acts of charity, including the Miracle of the Roses, where bread she was secretly giving to the poor transformed into roses when confronted by her father. Her body, exhumed several years after her death in 1329, was found to be incorrupt, and it remains on display in a crystal reliquary within the chapel.Beyond its historical and religious significance, the Chapelle Sainte-Roseline boasts a collection of modern art. In 1975, Marc Chagall created a mosaic, "The Meal of the Angels", depicting another miracle in Roseline's life. Other notable works include bronzes by Diego Giacometti and stained-glass windows by Jean Bazaine and Raoul Ubac. The chapel's architecture features a five-bay nave and a choir with a flat apse, showcasing a blend of Romanesque and later architectural styles. Visitors can also admire a 16th-century altarpiece, a 17th-century baroque altarpiece, and wooden stalls from 1658.Today, the Chapelle Sainte-Roseline is a popular destination for pilgrims and art enthusiasts alike. The surrounding Château Sainte Roseline is a working vineyard, offering wine tasting and sales. The combination of historical intrigue, artistic treasures, and spiritual significance makes the Chapelle Sainte-Roseline a must-see attraction in the Les Arcs-sur-Argens region.