Halfway along the Rue des Teinturiers stands the Chapelle des Pénitents Gris (literally the ‘Chapel of the Grey Penitents’). The chapel was erected on the site of the old Oratory of St Croix, where tradition has it that King Louis VIII came to say his prayers during the siege of 1226. Grey is a reference to the colour of the cowl (the habit worn by the penitents) in which the king clad himself as a sign of penitence. This was the first brotherhood of penitents to be based in the town. It was here on November 30, 1433 that a famous miracle occurred. During a huge flood, the Rhone and Sorgue burst their banks, and the waters overran the chapel… but spared everything of value – precious objects and rare books – and left the way clear for the brothers to came and save the blessed sacrament. Halfway along the Rue des Teinturiers stands the Chapelle des Pénitents Gris (literally the ‘Chapel of the Grey Penitents’). The chapel was erected on the site of the old Oratory of St Croix, where tradition has it that King Louis VIII came to say his prayers during the siege of 1226. Grey is a reference to the colour of the cowl (the habit worn by the penitents) in which the king clad himself as a sign of penitence. This was the first brotherhood of penitents to be based in the town. It was here on November 30, 1433 that a famous miracle occurred. During a huge flood, the Rhone and Sorgue burst their banks, and the waters overran the chapel… but spared everything of value – precious objects and rare books – and left the way clear for the brothers to came and save the blessed sacrament.