Bayeux in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Autour des Augustines
Augustine District
— Bayeux, la Qualité a ses Racines —
Nous sommes ici au cœur des anciens jardins affectes a l’hôtel-Dieu. Un bâtiment du début du XIXe siècle, sur votre droite, servit jusqu’en 1905 de pensionnat. Sur l’esplanade lui faisant face, est placée une statue en bronze, évocation de la bienheureuse Catherine de Saint-Augustin, religieuse de la communauté des Augustines hospitalières de Bayeux. Née le 3 mai 1632 a Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, elle entre au monastère à l’âge de douze ans et demi et part des 1648 rejoindre d’autres sœurs déjà établies au Canada ou elles fondent l’hôtel-Dieu de Québec. Elle y décède en 1668.
Le chemin menant au musée de la Tapisserie, sur votre gauche, permet de pénétrer à l’intérieur de l’enceinte du couvent des Augustines hospitalières de Bayeux, communauté fondée en 1644 par marie Madeleine de La Huandière, une cousine de Catherine. Sa construction date de 1696. On en longe la façade sur une centaine de mètres. Il s’agit d’un vaste bâtiment de style classique d’une grande sobriété dans le prolongement duquel se situe la chapelle des religieuses, consacrée en 1701. Sa porte est ornée des armoiries de Monseigneur de Nesmond qui finança l’ensemble du projet.
En raison du nombre important de constructions religieuses et de restaurations entreprises sous son épiscopat (séminaire, hôtel-Dieu, hôpital général, couvents des Augustines, des Sœurs de la Charité-Notre-Dame, des Bénédictines, oui des Ursulines), ce prélat contemporain du roi Louis XIV s’est vu affuble du sobriquet "d’évêque a la truelle".
In the Middle Ages, the Hôtel-Dieu - hospital was the main institution caring for the sick in Bayeux. Founded in the early 13th century, it is located on the north bank of the Aure and, as well as its vast buildings, it also comprises a walled garden.
Here we are in the heart of those former gardens, in front of the early 19th century Orangerie that used to serve as a winter garden. On the esplanade opposite there is a bronze statue commemorating blessed Catherine de Saint-Augustin, a nun in the Bayeux Augustine Order who founded the Hôtel-Dieu in Québec in the 17th century.
The path leading to the Tapestry Museum provides access to the Bayeux Augustine Hospital Order convent, a community founded in 1644. The chapel, situated at the southern end of the convent building, was consecrated in 1701. Its door is embellished with the coat of arms of Monseigneur de Nesmond who financed the entire project.
Due to the high number of religious building and restoration projects undertaken during his reign, the prelate, a contemporary of the King Louis XIV, was awarded the nickname of the "Trowel Bishop".
Erected by La ville de Bayeux. (Marker Number 20.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the France - Bayeux - Circuit du Vieux Bayeux series list.
Location. 49° 16.528′ N, 0° 42.035′ W. Marker is in Bayeux, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. Marker is on Place de Québec, 0.1 kilometers west of Allée des Augustines. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bayeux, Normandie 14400, France. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. L'Ancien Seminaire (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); La Rue Saint-Jean (about 120 meters away); Le Quartier du Pont Saint-Jean (about 150 meters away); L'Aure (about 150 meters away); Le Rempart Gallo-Roman (about 150 meters away); Un édifice du Xe siècle (about 150 meters away); Les Abords du Chevet de la Cathédrale (about 180 meters away); Le palais Episcopal (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bayeux.
More about this marker. The caption on the photograph reads:
Vase de la pharmacie de l’hôtel-Dieu (XVIIe siècle)
Vase from the Hôtel-Dieu (hospital) pharmacy (18th century)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 11, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.