La Chapelle de Torp
Association des amis
PRESENTATION
The chapel of Torp and its small cemetery are part of a rich local heritage. In the heart of the hamlet stands the castle of Torp and its fortified farm, but the village of Villers-Canivet also hides a Cistercian jewel: the Royal Abbey, classified as a historical monument in 1994.
Before 1828, when Torp became part of Villers-Canivet, this small chapel was the parish church of the village of Torp. Built at the end of the 10th and beginning of the 12th centuries, this place of worship was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Named by the Vikings, transformed over the centuries, used by the Little Sisters of the Poor, it has several centuries of history. The choir, in Norman Romanesque style, still features arched openings, carved modillions, a walled-up side door and a stone altar; three tombs bearing the Morel family coat of arms can be seen on the floor.
Bought by the village council in 2002, the Association des Amis de la Chapelle de Torp is assisting the village in the renovation of the site and its restoration.
PAST AND FUTURE EVENTS
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September 2025: during Heritage Days on the 20th and 21st, a photography exhibition was held by the Falaise Photographers' Collective. On the 20th, a concert of works by the Baroque masters—Bach, Marais, Vivaldi, Zelenka—for five instruments (violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, and lute) took place
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May 2025: as part of the “Pierres en Lumière” events, on Saturday 17th, a concert was given by the Potigny municipal harmony orchestra at the Villers-Canivet village hall; This was followed by a night-time torchlight walk to the illuminated chapel, where Benoît Leprince from the Falaisienne bookshop “Tourner la Page” hosted a talk with author Mathide Beausseault, who presented her novel “Les Saules”
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2025: plans are being drawn up to continue the restoration of the chapel so that it can be safely opened to the public (floor, north buttress, wall repairs)
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2024: during Heritage Days in September, the chapel provided a venue for artisans (sculptors, clay modellers, lime plasterers) to showcase their skills; a concert given by Anne Faucher (violin) and Alain Hervé (oboe) attracted a large audience
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2023 : every weekend throughout the summer, the chapel welcomed visitors who came to see and hear the “Murmurs” exhibition
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2022/2023 - Implementation of the artistic project 'Murmures', initiated by the Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles: F.Delasalle composes a sound piece telling the stories of the place through the testimonies of the people who saw it evolve (the French version of the sound piece is available on the artist's website)
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2019 - Departemental price : les rubans du patrimoine
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2016 - Start of restoration work
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2002 - Start of safeguard and consolidation work
VISIT
Closed doors ? Discover our audio-guide !
Writing, sound recording, editing : Florine Delasalle
Mixing : Clément Brunon
Voice : Samuel Delasalle