Skit du Saint-Esprit

Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis

In the middle of the woods of the Yvelines, a wall belfry topped with three onion domes surprises the walker. This is the skete of the Holy Spirit, an Orthodox hermitage. The Mérimée record dates its construction to 1934 and attributes the impetus to Father Serge Schevitch, rector of the Orthodox parish of Vanves. Other sources, including the tourist press, speak of 1938: the date therefore remains to be confirmed. The chapel is built of millstone grit, with massive walls and few openings. Light enters mainly through the domes. Inside, an iconostasis bears a large Deësis, and the whole decoration is painted. The sources attribute these paintings to Father Grégoire Krug, who lived on the spot; they date from 1950 to 1958. The whole received the ‘Patrimoine du XXe siècle’ label in 2011. The skete is still inhabited: it is visited on request or during the Heritage Days.

French Ministry of Culture — Mérimée, skit du Saint-Esprit (Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis) ↗

Getting there: Building belonging to a religious association, in use. Address: avenue (or rue) des Bruyères, Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis. Visits on request to the Syndicat d'initiative of Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis, and during the Heritage Days, by booking and in time slots, as the place is cramped.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound