This chapel is located in the residential neighborhood of Fréjus known as “La Tour de Mare,” which was established in the early 1960s at the initiative of Jean Martinon, a banker from Nice, who wanted to create a new neighborhood—an “artists’ community.” He asked Jean Cocteau to design the plans for a chapel within this neighborhood and to oversee its decoration. Jean Cocteau, assisted by the Cannes-based architect Jean Triquenot, set to work on the project but sadly passed away in October 1963, during the building’s construction.
Edouard Dérmit, his adopted son, ultimately completed the chapel’s decorations, using the sketches left by Jean Cocteau. Other artists also contributed to the project. Notre-Dame de Jérusalem is primarily adorned with frescoes depicting the “Passion of Christ.” At the Last Supper table among the apostles, one can recognize Cocteau and his friend Jean Marais.
The theme of the Crusades of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher is omnipresent.
At the entrance to the building, one can read “God wills it,” which is the motto of the Crusaders.
“The chapel has green sandstone walls. It is accessed from the south through three wrought-iron doors decorated with stained-glass windows. The interior space, covered by a dome with skylighting, is surrounded by a gallery opening on each side through three arched openings. The floor covering is a creation by Roger Pélissier, a ceramist from La Tour de Mare.”
The Chapel of Notre Dame de Jérusalem is Jean Cocteau’s final work.
On January 20, 1989, it was designated a Historic Monument.
Cocteau Chapel or Notre-Dame-de-Jérusalem
Avenue Nicolaï. La Tour de Mare,
83600 Fréjus
Tel.: 04 94 53 82 47
Fréjus Tourist Office
Le Florus 2
249, rue Jean Jaurès – CS 50123
83618 Fréjus cedex
Tel.: 04 94 51 83 83
