The Ursuline Chapel and former convent

The Chapel, a 17th-century gem, is part of the former Ursuline convent. Today, it hosts exhibitions in a unique historical setting.
Located in the heart of Sommières, the Ursuline Chapel, with its monumental façade, is a precious reminder of the past. Built in the 17th century, it is part of the former Ursuline convent, a majestic building that now houses an art and culture centre.
After serving as a military hospital during the First World War, the building was purchased by the municipality in 1977 and renamed Espace Lawrence Durrell, in tribute to the British writer who lived in Sommières.

Today, the Ursuline Chapel hosts temporary exhibitions in a 107 m² room decorated with a gallery and a stained glass rose window, offering a unique setting in which to discover contemporary works. Another 55 m² room is dedicated to the artist Jacqueline Gaussen Salmon (1906-1948), where around fifteen of her paintings depicting familiar landscapes such as the Roman bridge and the ramparts are on permanent display.

Did you know? The construction of the Ursuline convent was financed by the Bocaud family, lords of Jacou. Philippe de Bocaud, in particular, played a key role in the founding of this convent in 1660, which welcomed the Ursuline nuns and served as a school for young girls in the region.

Visit: Today, the convent has been converted into a media library and the chapel into exhibition rooms (free access during opening hours). Out of season, the chapel is only open when temporary exhibitions are on display.