Jean-Michel Folon was a Belgian artist, illustrator and painter who spent more than 30 years of his life on the French Riviera. He lived mostly in Monaco, but had a soft spot for Saint Paul de Vence. He was best known for his illustrations for UNESCO or Amnesty International.

The White Penitents’ Chapel or The Folon Chapel is located just a short walk from the Maeght Foundation and should not be missed by any art lover.

Walking past this inconspicuous building, one would not think of the splendour and interesting history that could be hidden inside.

The White Penitents Chapel, originally built in the 17th century, used to be the headquarters of the White Penitents fraternity. The first traces of this fraternity date back to 1581.
Despite their ghostly hoods, it was an association of believers who did good works to be forgiven of their sins. These included caring for the sick, distributing food and clothing, or sheltering vagrants. The chapel served the White Penitents until the 1920s.

The Chapel was completely renovated in 2005. Jean-Michel Folon created the drawings for a huge mosaic and for the stained-glass windows and murals representing the village of Saint Paul de Vence.

When a visitor opens the doors of this building, they enter a chapel like no other. By visiting this chapel, the visitor will be able to enter the world of an artist whose fascination with light, glass and collaboration with village artisans created a unique life’s work.

The White Penitents’ Chapel was the artist’s last work before he died in 2005. Some of his works had to be finished posthumously by Italian glass masters.