Orphelinat de Saint Georges de l'Isle, Saint Fraimbault de Prières, Mayenne, France
In 1867, Madame Marie-Pauline d'Héliand, the owner of the Château de l'Isle, an estate about three miles to the north of Saint Fraimbault de Prières, turned the property into a refuge for the elderly, the poor, and orphans.
Marie-Pauline's daughter, Catherine, became a member of the Sisters of St Vincent de Paul. In 1875, the Sisters took possession of the estate, which then became known as Saint Georges de l'Isle. With Catherine as their Mother Superior, the Sisters extended the accommodation and the establishment became a virtually self-sufficient community.
Orphelinat de Saint Georges de l'Isle, Mayenne, early 1900s. © Peter Higginbotham
The home had its own children's wind band. In 1924, a former inmate composed a fanfare which became widely performed at festivals and parades.
Orphelinat de Saint Georges de l'Isle, Mayenne, early 1900s. © Peter Higginbotham
Until the 1960s, the institution housed up to a hundred orphans and about sixty old men. In June 1964, a fire destroyed a section of the buildings which were then enlarged and modernized.
The orphanage section was closed in 1972 but the home continued to accommodate the retired. In 1983, a unit known as the "Foyer de Vie" was opened at the site, accommodating about 40 disabled
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- None identfied at present — any information welcome.
Bibliography
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain s Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
Links
- None identified at present.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
