Russian Orthodox Chapel “Notre-Dame-des-Affligés” - Menton

The Russian Orthodox chapel “Notre-Dame-des-Affligés” , located in the Cimetière du Vieux-Château in Menton, is more than a burial place; it is a symbol of the 19th-century Russian community here.

The chapel was built around 1880 for the Russian colony, as a burial site for Russian aristocrats and their families. It bears witness to the period when many Russians visited the Côte d'Azur for both winter relaxation and health, fueled by sanatoria.

In the past, the chapel was used as a mausoleum of Prince Troubetskoi , a prominent Russian noble family, and as a burial place for other notables.

Notre-Dame-des-Affligés literally means "Our Lady of Sorrows." The name refers to Mary as the comforter of those suffering sorrow or pain—a beloved theme in the Russian Orthodox tradition.

Willem Vandenameele