The Chapter House

Historic site and monument

Place de la Nation-Charles de Gaulle
38460 Crémieu

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Nowadays, the chapter house is used by the local council for meetings and weddings. But its original purpose was to house gatherings of the chapter, when all the monks came together for Mass.

There are several remaining clues to this function, including the 17th-century oakwood stalls, which look like the compartments used by monks in prayer, as they were not allowed to sit.
The room's coffered ceiling probably dates from the early 16th century.
Made from stone or, as in this case, from wood, this compartmented style came back into fashion at the start of the Renaissance and the Baroque era.
Originally, the chapter house had three Gothic arches which opened into the cloister. These were filled in during the 19th century, but were highlighted again during restoration work and can now be seen on the wall to the left of the entrance.
Many objects have been returned to this room which has become the town hall's reception room.
On the wall opposite the entrance we can see traces of spears and reversed scythes, which were the weapons used by rural farm workers during the Revolution. The large paintings hanging around the room were painted and donated by Claude-François Sornin, a former owner of the Dauphin Castle. The ceiling is decorated with chandeliers that came from the church.