The chapel of Saint Roch

In 1632, the plague wandered through the land. Floreffe was not spared. From that time dates the establishment of the Saint Rochus chapel, directly opposite the Abbey. One still finds, in a small valley east of Floreffe, the old cemetery of the plague victims. (Barbier, History of the Abbey of Floreffe. In 1632, as inscribed on a stone "IHS/1632", a sanctuary in brick and corner anchors in stone is built on a hill just outside Floreffe. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Rochus, known since the mid-14th century for his care of the sick of all ranks and classes. All layers of the population venerate him for various ailments, and many come on a pilgrimage to Floreffe. The cemetery of the plague victims was located in the valley of the Crolcul, a little lower, east of the chapel at the end of a road that was formerly called the "road of death." A century after its establishment, the chapel had become far too small, and the nave was doubled, this time in stone, and crowned with an elegant bell tower. Due to the proximity of the gardens of the Abbey, the chapel is now also dedicated to Saint Fiacre, as can be seen in the inscription: "IHS/S. ROCH/ET/S. FIACRE/P.P.N/1744." At the end of the 19th century, the chapel was restored at the urging of the municipality, the church factory, and the 'brotherhood of Saint Rochus.' This restoration gave the chapel its current form with a new altar and a panelled ceiling. Today this sanctuary, like many others, is somewhat left to its fate until a baptism or a wedding briefly revives it. Every year in August, the chapel briefly brightens up on the occasion of the Saint Rochus March, organized by the local Compagnie de Turcos.

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