La Flèche

The first church was built in Gallo-Roman times and was given the name of Saint-Ouen. The building was altered in the 12^thand 14^th centuries and abandoned in the 15^th century. It was restored in the 17^th century by the Jesuits of La Flèche and dedicated to Notre-Dame-des-Vertus. It soon became a place of pilgrimage and is still visited by numerous pilgrims and tourists.

The exterior:

Under a lean-to roof, a beautiful Romanesque porch dating from the late 11^th century

The chancel:

Baroque altarpiece with pilasters made of Solesmes marble and ornaments covered with gold leaves. At the centre, a statue of Notre-Dame-des-Vertus (17^th century), flanked by two 17^th-century statues representing two Jesuit saints: Saint Louis de Gonzague and Saint Stanislas Kotska.

Remarkable painted wooden ceiling (1644). At the centre, the signature of the Jesuits (I.H.S.). Numerous red hearts reflecting the beginning of a cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and about fifty medallions. The second medallion from the left is a perspective view of La Flèche in 1644

The door of the Muslim Warrior (1470) is the oldest piece of furniture in the chapel. It reflects the fear of the Christian world after the fall of Constantinople (1453)

On the left hand side of the choir, a statue of Saint Anne teaching the Virgin how to read (17^th century)

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Example of carved panel

A marble plaque evokes the memory of the Jesuit martyrs who died in 1649 in Nouvelle France (Canada), victims of the Iroquois as they were trying to evangelise the Hurons. A native of La Flèche, Jérôme Le Royer de la Dauversière, was at the origin of the foundation of Montreal (May 1642)

Painting: The education of the Virgin Mary by Saint Anne and Saint Joachim (1670)