Rosaire Chapel, Vence

Matisse's final masterpiece

featured in Sights & sites

Matisse's Final Masterpiece, this chapel, was built in 1949 and designed in its entirety by Henri Matisse.

He created the chapel as a monument to sacred art in the world and dedicated four years of his life to the design and architecture of the building.

From the stained glass to the ceramics and furniture, the chapel was, he claimed, "the result of my working life. I consider its imperfections as my masterpiece".

The chapel was a request from a young nun named Monique Bourgeois, who had nursed Matisse back to health after he was treated for cancer in 1941.

It has a simple white exterior measuring 15 by six metres, with a roof of blue and white tiles. The brown stone alter was specifically chosen to resemble the colour and texture of bread as a nod to the Eucharist. The stained glass windows in the vibrant shades of yellow (for the sun), green (nature) and blue (sea) reflect the Mediterranean surroundings. Three murals in black and white depict St Dominic, the Virgin and Child and Stations of the Cross and were painted on 12 inch tiles before being fixed to the interior walls.

The small gift shop donates all its profits to the Dominican convent.

Visitor comments

"Made my 3rd visit to the incredibly beautiful Matisse Chapel in Vence. There are truly no words to describe the serenity, calmness, & peace one feels when in the chapel. The stark whiteness counterpointed by the incredible blue, green, & yellow stained glass windows Matisse designed create a special luminosity. On my prior visits, which are now many, many years ago, I was the only person in the chapel! Now, times have changed. There were many people there, but the best change was the addition of a wonderful young woman, Helene, who explained all the thought process that went into the creation of this beautiful place. Her descriptions added an entire new view to the chapel for me." - Trip Advisor
"We were fortunate to have the services of the resident guide on a one to one basis and benefited from her very informed account of the building of the Chapelle and where it fitted in with Matisse's life. The light quality within the chapelle is stunning and creates a wonderful sense of the spiritual." - Trip Advisor
"Visiting the Chapelle du Rosaire was a dream come true and did not disappoint. The crowning glory of a long career of Henri Matisse must be one of the most beautiful chapels in the world. On a weekday it was less than peaceful with chattering tourists despite signs asking for silence. But on Sunday morning at Mass, Matisse's wish was fulfilled 'I want those who enter my chapel to feel purified and relieved of their burdens.' Whatever one's religion or none at all the chapel is conducive for contemplation. It is only from the inside that it can be fully appreciated. (No photos allowed) Not only a chapel but also a work of art." - Trip Advisor