Pets allowed
The chapel fell into disrepair after the construction of the parish church at La Roche-Blanche, and was never destined to become a major site for the Resistance in the Ancenis region.
One July 1944, the Saint-Michel-du-Bois chapel became a sanctuary for an American officer: Captain Paul-Louis Cartier (alias Paul Cyr, from his nom de guerre), and Team Georges. With the help of resistance fighters from Roche-Blanchois, the team led Allied air operations against the trains at Ancenis by transmitting information by radio.
On 12 July 1944, two German trains were neutralised by British aircraft at Ancenis station. The Germans searched the countryside for the transmitter, convinced that information had been transmitted to the Alliers. They arrived in front of the Saint-Michel-du-Bois chapel, where Paul Cyr and Christian Lejeune, a second lieutenant, were trapped inside. Paul Cyr, faced with what he thought were his final hours, picked up a slate and wrote: “Mother of God, pray for us. Protect us and give us the strength we need to accomplish our mission. Team George 817”.
The Germans turned back, not deeming it necessary to search the heap of ruins and brambles that was the chapel.
The slate is now displayed at the entrance to the chapel.
A book retracing the history of Paul Cyr and Team Georges has been published by the commune: “La Chapelle Saint-Michel-du-Bois, un haut-lieu de la Résistance”, co-written by historian Joël Thievin and the Friends of the chapel.
Guided tours of the chapel are organised from time to time. It is also open to the public during the day.
Pictures
Location