Add a review about the Fujita Chapel

Being in Reims, of course, you can not see its majestic cathedral. Against this backdrop, Fujita's chapel, which is in the garden of G.H. Mumm, seems like a small thing, not worth a visit. In fact, this is not so. The history of the creation of this modern chapel is more than unusual, and the chapel itself is so little like the traditional landmark that you expect to see in an ancient French city, that it is worth a visit.

The chapel was designed and built by artist Leonard Tsukugar Fujita, a native of Tokyo, who used the Japanese technique of working with ink in paintings in western style. The artist lived in France for a long time and turned to Catholicism shortly before his death. The impetus for this was the mystical revelation he experienced in the Saint-Remy basilica. Fujita's last significant work was the chapel, which the artist started to create in 1966, at the age of 80.

Fujita's last significant work was this chapel, which the artist started to create in 1966 at the age of 80.

The territory on which the chapel stands first belonged to the company that produces champagne wines. Then Rene Lalu, the godfather of Fujita in the Catholic faith, lived here. The entire project of the Fujita chapel was executed with his own hand, including layout, exterior and interior decoration, sketches, stained-glass windows, reliefs, metal elements, sculptures and frescoes. The chapel was built in a year.

Then for about three months the artist was engaged in painting the inner walls of the chapel. Thanks to them, the interior is so interesting today. These are large frescoes in blue, green, brown and golden colors. And although all the murals reflect religious themes, they can also see the image of Fujita and his wife Kamiko, as well as Rene Lalu and his wife.

Fujita said that he created his chapel as an atonement for 80 years of sin.

Immediately after the completion of work on the chapel, the artist gave it to the city and after a short time after that died. In 1992, the Fujita Chapel was declared a historical monument. In 2003, Fujita's coffin was placed in the chapel, in the same place where the artist wanted to rest.

Fujita Chapel

Practical Information

Address: Rue de la Mars, 33.

In low season The chapel opens only in the middle of the day.