Mapping the Life of a Saint
Exploring the Life of Charles de Foucauld with Google Maps
The life story of Charles de Foucauld had three geographic focal points: France, the Middle East, and North Africa. He lived in all of these places, and at various times he traveled back and forth between them. Each of these locations added something to his life. They helped to make him the man, and the saint, he became.
Growing up, Charles did what was expected of him, given his family background and place in society. As a young man, he sought to please himself. A turning point came in 1886 when he was 28 years old. A conversion experience filled him with a new set of priorities. Following God’s will became the sole desire of his heart. It’s amazing to see how this change is reflected in the places where he lived and traveled thereafter.
Many of the places that were important to Charles exist today and can be visited virtually by using Google Maps. The links below will take you to satellite and street views along with user-submitted photos of buildings and landscapes. Obviously, some things have changed over the years, but some have not. Some locations are practically untouched from the time of Charles.
As an ardent follower of Jesus, Charles wanted to live the Gospel without compromise. He is an inspiration to many, including the Joseph House and the Little Sisters. Charles lived and breathed and walked this earth like everyone else. Like him, we’re also on a pilgrimage to God, no matter where we find ourselves to be.
More information about his life can be found here on our website: Brother Charles and Charles de Foucauld: The Timeline of a Saint.
Links to Google Maps:
Charles was born in 1858 at 3 Place de Broglie in Strasbourg, France. His family’s home has been replaced by a bank.
Site of Charles’ birthplace
To honor this native son of Strasbourg, a bronze statue of Charles was installed in front of Saint Pierre-Le-Jeune Church.
Statue of Charles in Strasbourg
Charles attended school at École Épiscopale de Saint-Arbogast, which is now a retirement home.
Site of school Charles attended
In 1876, Charles entered the Saint-Cyr Military Academy near Versailles. The Academy moved to its current location during World War II. The link points to the location Charles attended.
Site of military school Charles attended
Two years later, he trained at the École de Cavalerie (cavalry school) at Saumur. He went on to serve in Algeria, experiencing the wonder and mystery of Africa for the first time.
Cavalry School at Samur
In 1886, Charles had a conversion experience at Saint-Augustin Church in Paris.
Saint-Augustin Church
Charles became a Trappist monk in 1890 at the Abbey of Notre-Dame des Neiges (Our Lady of the Snows). Cistercian nuns now live at the monastery.
Our Lady of the Snows Monastery
Seeking greater poverty, Charles transferred to Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart), a Trappist monastery near Akbez, Turkey (the actual village, Cheiklé, is not on the map). This monastery was abandoned in 1926. The link points to Akbez.
Akbez, Turkey
In 1897, after receiving permission to leave the Trappists, Charles became a handyman for the Poor Clares in Nazareth. They were expelled during World War I and moved back to Nazareth in 1949. Their new monastery is about 0.2 miles from the original location. During his time in Nazareth, Charles made several visits to the Poor Clares in Jerusalem.
Poor Clares Monastery in Nazareth / Poor Clares Monastery in Jerusalem
Charles was ordained a priest in 1901 in the Seminary Chapel, Viviers, France. The seminary is now a hotel and conference center named after Charles.
Site of seminary in Viviers
Later that year, Charles established a hermitage in Beni-Abbes, Algeria.
Hermitage in Beni-Abbes
In 1910, Charles built a hermitage on a high plateau in the Hoggar Mountains, Tamanrasset, Algeria.
Hermitage in Tamanrasset
He built a fort in Tamanrasset in 1915 to protect the local people from raiders.
Fort in Tamanrasset
Charles was killed in 1916 at the gate to the fort in Tamanrasset. His tomb is in the cemetery of St. Joseph’s Church, El Menia, Algeria.
Tomb of St. Charles de Foucauld