In Gueret, Chapelle worked as a cashier in a cafe and later ran her own linen shop.

[1] Chapelle was introduced to the artist, Jean Auguste-Dominque Ingres, by her cousin, Adele.

After further correspondence by letter, Chapelle travelled to Rome in September 1813 and the couple met for the first time at the Tomb of Nero.

Chapelle and Ingres married on 4 December 1813 in the church of San Martino ai Monti.

[1] In letters sent to a friend, Ingres described their marriage as a happy one and expressed his devotion and adoration to his wife.