Eglise St Louis, Bourcefranc-le-Chapus

This church, dedicated to St Louis, was built in 1687 by royal decision, at the request of Madame de Maintenon. It opened to the faithful in 1694. In the 17th century, Madame de Maintenon, passing through Oleron, wished to make her devotions before embarking. But there was no place of worship in the village. So, on her return to Paris, she convinced King Louis XIV to build a church there and made a donation to the village. The building, built of rubble stone, is reinforced at the corners of the walls and at the openings with ashlar. Its construction is based on a simple plan with a slightly protruding transept and a semi-circular chevet. The façade is decorated with a door framed by pilasters and topped by a moulded pediment. The church building opened its doors to the faithful in 1694. In the 19th century, the church underwent a series of improvements, including the installation of a gallery, an altar and stained glass windows. Originally, the church did not have a bell tower but a campanile where the bell of the old temple of Saint-Just was rung, which was destroyed in 1685 during the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The present bell tower was added in 1957 by Abbot Paul Bourgeon, the parish priest. The church of Saint-Louis is a seafarers' parish. This is evidenced by the ashlar altar decorated with a ship and anchors, as well as the stained glass window of Saint Peter showing the fort Louvois. It was donated at the end of the 19th century by the fishermen of Le Chapus and represents 3 scenes: "The calmed storm", "The profession of faith of St Peter" and "The miraculous catch".