Just on the outskirts of Labastide-d’Armagnac John stumbles across this cycling museum whilst out riding. The chapel is all that remains of the 12th-century fortress and was listed as a monument of historic in interest 1996.
Chapel Notre-Dame de Cyclists
In 1958 Father Jospeh Massie the pastor of Creon – d’Armagnac was inspired by a chapel he had seen in Italy. So he decided to try and do a similar thing with this old chapel.
On 18 May 1959, Pope John XXIII agreed to make the old chapel a National Sanctuary for Cycling and Cyclists under the protection of the Virgin: Our Lady of cyclists.
As you enter this pretty chapel there is a display of old bicycles, one of which was used in the French film Les Cracks, directed by Alex Joffé in 1968.
It’s difficult to know where to look first, along with over 800 Jerseys covering the chapel walls, there is a fascinating collection of newspaper articles and books.
Some of the donated Jerseys
The stained glass window was designed and created by Henri Anglade, a former rider of the Tour de France, to represent cycling. It was reportedly intended to celebrate a thaw in the intense rivalry between Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, as they shared a bottle on the Col d’Izoard during the 1952 Tour de France.
Stained glass window
It’s a wonderful memorial to known and unknown riders, who along with numerous champions have donated their shirts, including André Darrigade, Jacques Anquetil, Louison Bobet, Tom Simpson, Roger Lapébie, Jean Stablinski, Bernard Hinault and Raymond Poulidor.
Displays of great cycling history
John has cycled through France before with our son James, so this was of great interest to him. It also gave him the opportunity to sign and donate one of the shirts they had both worn during their trip to Mont Ventoux in 2017. It will hang along side all of the other shirts for many years to come and become part of this lovely memorial.
Hopefully this shirt will be here for many years to come.
Whether you are religious or not, with the sun shining through the stained glass window and the classical music playing, it’s impossible to not feel a great sense of awe, when surrounded by all of this history and reverence to the champions of this sport.
Hi Karen,
Good to see your blog has reached La Bastide de Armagnac, we enjoyed our chat with you that evening, sadly we are now slowly on our home. Enjoy your trip and house sit.
Dave and Michelle “ taraabit “ crew.
Hi Dave and Michelle
Yes, I’m a little behind. House sitting tends to take over, walking the dogs, sorting the house and garden a long with sight seeing, I have to write in between.
I have been reading your blogs and was interested in the grape harvesting.
Have a safe trip home
Karen and John x