Here at Chapelle du Carmel, we uncover a haven of peace. It stands as a testament to Lyon’s rich religious history. Founded in 1616, the Chapelle du Carmel started its journey on the slopes of La Croix-Rousse. Charles de Neufville and Jacqueline de Harlay established it. They invited seven nuns from Paris to begin this spiritual house.
Initially, the nuns resided at the Visitation. On October 9th, they took possession of their new convent. It was located just above what became the Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules. Madeleine de Saint-Joseph led the first community. She arrived with five sisters from the Carmel de l’Incarnation de Paris.
The Villeroy family protected the Chapelle du Carmel. For two centuries, they chose it as their burial site. From its founding, the house was dedicated to Notre-Dame de Compassion. Though established without royal permission, the oversight was rectified in 1659. Camille de Neufville de Villeroy, the archbishop, facilitated the official recognition.
The French Revolution brought disruption. In 1790, Mayor Palerne de Savy visited the Carmel. He found thirty nuns and four lay sisters who all wished to stay. However, by 1792, the house was closed. The nuns were scattered. Five were arrested, and one was executed in 1794.
In 1804, the community was revived. However, nuns could not re-establish the cloister or wear their habits. In 1815, Cardinal Fesch granted them permission to regroup at the Maison de la Providence.
The Carmelite sisters then purchased land with the Visitandines. They built the current convent with the first stone of the church laid in 1853. By 1854, the Carmelite sisters moved into their new monastery. The community flourished. In 1900, they founded a daughter house in Domrémy.
In 1988, a nun from the Chapelle du Carmel participated in discussions with the Carmelites of Auschwitz. In 2005, nuns from the closed Carmel of Roanne joined the Lyon community. This also brought a connection to the Carmel de Koupéla in Burkina Faso.
Today, the Chapelle du Carmel continues its mission. The Carmelite sisters maintain a life of prayer. They welcome those seeking spiritual solace. Their life balances solitude and community. They focus on inner transformation. As Madeleine de Saint Joseph said, “Take always the present moment to make good use of it, for you have only that in your hands.”
The Chapelle du Carmel embodies Lyon’s spiritual heritage. It stands as a symbol of faith, resilience, and compassion. This is a place where history and spirituality converge. It enriches the city’s cultural landscape.