Bazar de la Charité Fire

The Belle Epoque had its share of tragedies and Notre-Dame de la Consolation is evidence of that. It is located on the premises where a terrible fire occured during a charity event on 4 May 1897, causing over one hundred casualties.

Among the notable figures who died during the tragedy was the Duchess of Alençon, younger sister of Elizabeth aka "Sissi" the Austrian Impress and Queen of Hungary.

The victims' families commissioned a chapel to be built and to this day, their descendants are still part of the association Mémorial du Bazar de la Charité which offers a monthly guided tour of the place.

They will tell you the story of the "Bazar de la Charité" where wealthy people bought clothes to finance a charity organisation and you will be shown around the chapel, including the corridor with beautiful eo-classical mausoleums.

The association is currently seeking donations to help with the long needed restaurations. You can find them with the following link: https://www.fondation-patrimoine.org/les-projets/notre-dame-de-consolation