Saint Claude La Colombière Chapel, Paray-le-Monial
Claude’s chapel gives his part in Paray a physical place of prayer and veneration.
- Location
- Paray-le-Monial, France
- 46.4522° N · 4.1239° E
- Type
- Chapel
- Twentieth-century chapel with Byzantine-inspired mosaics and stained glass
- Time Needed
- focused visit
A short walk to the Rue Pasteur
From the Visitation chapel, continue toward the Rue Pasteur. Claude’s chapel lets the pilgrim remain with the priest who listened, discerned and gave himself to the same love of Christ. His bodily relics are here. Allow a pause before them before following the mosaics back toward the altar.
The Jesuit who listened
Claude La Colombière came to Paray in 1675 as a Jesuit superior and became Margaret Mary’s spiritual director. His ministry later took him to London, where he suffered imprisonment, and back to France. He died at Paray in 1682. The present chapel was built in the early 1930s following his beatification; John Paul II canonized him on May 31, 1992.
The mosaics and stained glass place Claude among the Gospel scenes and the Jesuit tradition. The sanctuary draws the eye toward Christ’s offering. Beside it, the relic shrine and recumbent figure distinguish bodily veneration from the images that tell his story.
Spiritual Significance
Claude’s contribution was the patient work of spiritual direction and trust in Christ. His chapel remains animated by Jesuits and volunteers, with a self-guided catechetical route through its decoration. It offers an Ignatian encounter within the wider Paray sanctuary.
- The recumbent image above the bodily relics
- How the chapel relates Ignatian spirituality to devotion to the Heart of Christ
Do Not Miss
-
01
The relic shrine
Give time to prayer beside Claude’s remains.
-
02
The self-guided chapel visit
Use the Jesuit chapel’s published route to read the decoration in sequence.
Visit Plans
-
Focused visit
Allow 30–45 minutes, longer for prayer
How to Visit
Check the chapel’s own site and the sanctuary program for access and worship. Allow 30–45 minutes, or more for prayer and the self-guided visit. The Jesuit residence is distinct from public chapel access; do not assume community rooms are open.
Veneration and prayer in a Jesuit chapel.
The public chapel is distinct from the Jesuit community’s residence.
- Place
- Paray-le-Monial, Burgundy, France
- Before travel
- Confirm the program, usable entrance and reception for your date.
Access and prayer
The shrine is beside the altar. Confirm access during services and visits.
Reception can help arrange visits; the chapel’s own website supplies a self-guided route.
Confirm the chapel’s current program, usable entrance and any assistance directly before travel.
The sanctuary identifies Claude’s skull and other bones to the left of the altar and large mosaic, beneath the recumbent figure.
Relics and Sacred Tradition
- Saint Claude La Colombière’s skull and other bones are preserved beside the altar.
Sacred Objects
- Claude’s relic shrine and recumbent figure
- Mosaics and stained glass illustrating the Gospel and Jesuit spirituality
Connected Saints
- Saint Claude de la Colombière Saint Claude La Colombière Chapel, Paray-le-Monial The sanctuary identifies his skull and other bones in the chapel’s relic shrine.
- Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Spiritual companion Margaret Mary’s testimony and Claude’s discernment are presented together in the chapel’s imagery.
Continue Your Pilgrimage
Map
Based on the sanctuary and custodians’ published histories and visitor guidance. Visit allowances are planning estimates.
October 7, 2026