Chapelle de Balanod

The Chapel of Balanod was built in 1628 to prosper thanks to the Laubespin family (a noble family) who financed it. This primitive construction comprised only the present nave.

The chapel is Gothic in style, with ribbed vaults that meet at the keystone. Inside, a shield representing a shrub can be seen on the keystone: this is the Laubespin coat of arms.

The fresco at the back of the chapel choir was painted by a faithful parishioner of Balanod, Mademoiselle Marie Bastien. This religious painting was done on isorel (wood fibres glued and agglomerated into panels under high pressure).

The chapel at Balanod became the town hall in 1820, having been abandoned by the monks a few decades earlier. It was then enlarged between 1868 and 1871 because it could not accommodate masses or other events. An oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a nave and a sacristy were added.

Between 1922 and 1969, the chapel was modernised and renovated. Abbé Guillermin was responsible for the first modernisations, which he financed by organising fairs, collections, etc. He bought better furniture, installed electric lighting, added stained-glass windows and had a commemorative plaque put up for the First World War.

Abbé Pernod continued his work: he paid for the painting of the choir fresco, ordered marble slab flooring and had marble brought down from the Montagna quarry to create the officiating table.