RoyanThe town of St. Tropez, in the south-west of France, is a pretty little town on the Atlantic coast. It lies at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, and is surrounded by seaside resorts.
Royan Church
Eglise Royan - Discover the Eglise Notre Dame de Royan on the Côte de Beauté, its distinctive architecture and remarkable luminosity.
Eglise Royan - Notre Dame de Royan church is a church in Royan, Charente Maritimeon the Côte de Beauté.
Eglise Royan - What's so special about Notre Dame church?
It is incomparable for its elliptical silhouette 45 m long. It is easily recognizable, as it can be likened to a to a vessel. But also for its contemporary style, with the widespread use of of rough concrete.
Where is Royan's church located?
It is located not far from the site of the former neo-Gothic Notre-Dame church, built in 1874 and destroyed by bombing in 1945.
Who is the building's architect?
After the Second World War, architect Guillaume Gillet was chosen to build the new church, along with two engineers, Bernard Lafaille and René Sarget.
Building Royan's church
Construction took place between 1955 and 1958. The almond-shaped, east-facing nave rises to a height of 35 metres. The steeple rises to a height of 60 metres.
Not far from the Notre dame de Royan church are the Royan swimming pool and the Louis Simon art gallery, royan plage, the Grande Conche beachthe Royan market. A little further afield, you can visit the Royan museum and the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel, Pontaillac casino and its beautiful family beach.
The new church site
The new church will not be built on the same site as the one destroyed in 1945. On its website, ADER (Association de défense de l'église de Royan) explains the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen site: "The former neo-Gothic church, built in 1877, was squeezed between narrow streets at the bottom of the depression at the end of Cherves, near the junction with Boulevard Aristide Briand. The mandorla is set higher up on the slopes of the Foncillon hill, in a vast triangular space created by the land consolidation. The new square is located at the intersection of Rue de Foncillon and Rue du Château d'Eau, in line with the new layout of Rue Notre-Dame. The land thus created is on a slope, with the lowest point to the east towards the town center. Orienting the church required G. Gillet to resolve a double paradox, that of breaking the unity of the perfect form he had adopted, and that of placing the choir, and not the entrance, at the bottom of the square facing its privileged access."
Eglise Royan - History of Notre dame de Royan church
The old church
Royan's old churchThe church, dating from 1874, was destroyed during the bombing of Royan on the night of January 5, 1945. In 1862, the former Saint Pierre church was closed. Royan needed a new place of worship. A plot of land was ceded to the town, but difficulties arose in the choice and size of the building, leading to the resignation of the mayor of the day and the withdrawal of the architect Gustave Alaux. Architect Auguste Labbé led the work on the building, with the company headed by Joseph Maureau. Here's an extract from the Wikipedia article:
"The municipality finally opted for architect Auguste Labbé's project for a vast neo-Gothic sanctuary. It featured a four-bay nave flanked by aisles, a deep transept framed by buttresses and illuminated by two rose windows, and a canted chevet bordered by two sacristies. Two rectangular apsidioles were added to the transept, communicating with the sanctuary's choir and adjoining sacristies. The entire sanctuary was cross-vaulted. The facade was dominated by a slender bell tower, built above a gallery created in 1888 by Louis Labbé, son of Auguste Labbé. Four pinnacles framed an octagonal spire. The top of the spire was toppled by a storm on the night of November 11, 1916, before finally being rebuilt in 19282. Inside was an organ case and a Stations of the Cross, some of whose panels were found in the ruins: these are now in the new church."
Royan church - historic monument
This building - Royan church - is now listed as a historic monument. since 1988, and is part of the 'Monument du 20ème siècle' label.
However, its reinforced concrete structure required numerous interventions, as the quality of the concrete used during construction was not sufficient for the saline environment.
l'Eglise de Royan - more details...
To find out more, here's an extract from the information panel at the entrance to Royan church: "Oriented according to liturgical rules from west (parvis) to east (choir), it is shaped like an ellipse, 45.. long and 3 m. wide.
Thanks to new processes, the vault - resting on just two points - is only 0.08 m thick.
This considerable reduction in weight made it possible to do away with the interior pillars and slim down the exterior walls.
These are formed by vertical V-shaped elements 0.10 m thick, varying in height from 36 m (choir and walls) to 28 m (center), and connected by glass roofs (500 m², which will gradually be replaced by stained glass.
The church's nave and ambulatory can accommodate over 2,000 worshippers, all of whom, without exception, can see the main altar.
The bell tower, which houses three bells, F. sol. la, weighing 900, 650 and 450 kg, and awaits a 2000 kg drone, stands 60 m high.
It is topped by a 6-metre metal cross."
Guillaume Gillet, the church's architect
Biography of Guillaume Gillet
Guillamue Gillet was born on November 20, 1912 in Oise and died on September 23, 1987 in Paris.
While a prisoner of war in Germany, he worked with René Coulon to design and decorate the chapel in the camp. After the war, he quickly won awards for his work, including the Grand Prix de Rome in 1946 (Concours de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts).
He became chief architect of national civil buildings and palaces in 1952, and set up an architectural firm with Bernard Lafaille and René Sarger, who will work on the Royan church project. In 1968, he became an Academician.
The breathtaking architecture of the Église Notre-Dame de Royan: a modern masterpiece by the ocean
The Notre-Dame church in Royan, on France's Atlantic coast, is much more than a place of worship. It is a remarkable architectural masterpiece that embodies boldness and modernity. Discover in detail the fascinating architecture of this church, its history, its unique features and the elements that make it a must-see for architecture enthusiasts and visitors to Royan.
Introduction to the Church of Notre-Dame de Royan
The Notre-Dame de Royan church is a landmark religious building in the town of Royan, in the Charente-Maritime department of France. Designed by architect Guillaume Gillet, it was inaugurated in 1958, replacing the former church destroyed during the bombardments of the Second World War. Its bold, innovative architecture makes it one of the region's most famous attractions.
Church history
The history of Notre-Dame de Royan church dates back to the post-war years, when the town of Royan was largely destroyed by bombing raids. The decision to rebuild the church was taken as part of the town's vast reconstruction program. Architect Guillaume Gillet was commissioned to design a new building that would reflect the spirit of renewal and optimism of the time.
Architecture and Style
The Notre-Dame church in Royan is a remarkable example of modern religious architecture. Its style, often described as "neo-Byzantine", blends traditional elements of Christian architecture with contemporary forms and materials. The building is distinguished by its clean lines, monumental volumes and large windows that flood the interior with natural light.
The most striking feature of the church's architecture is undoubtedly its bell tower, which rises to a height of over 60 metres. Designed as a tower of glass and steel, it is topped by a luminous cross that stands out magnificently against the Royan sky. This imposing structure has become an emblematic symbol of the town and can be seen from afar, even from the sea.
Architectural features
In addition to its spectacular bell tower, the church of Notre-Dame de Royan boasts many other architectural features. Its octagonal plan, inspired by Byzantine basilicas, creates a spacious, open interior for contemplation and prayer. Reinforced concrete walls clad in cut stone create a robust yet elegant ambience, while colored stained glass windows diffuse a soft, soothing light throughout the interior.
Church tour
For visitors interested in architecture and history, a visit to the Church of Notre-Dame de Royan is a must. The church is open to the public every day of the year, with opening times varying according to religious services and special events. Visitors can admire the impressive architecture from the outside and explore the interior during opening hours.
Guided tours can also be arranged for those wishing to learn more about the church's history and architecture. These tours offer the opportunity to explore every nook and cranny of the building, from the underground crypts to the peaks of the bell tower, in the company of experienced and passionate guides.
The church of Notre-Dame de Royan is a true architectural masterpiece, a testament to man's boldness and creativity. Its fascinating history, innovative architecture and unique features make it one of the region's most popular attractions. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a history buff or simply curious in search of new discoveries, a visit to the Notre-Dame de Royan church promises an enriching and memorable experience.
Recent news from Notre dame de Royan church
In 2018, DRAC is supporting renovation work - According to the DRAC Aquitaine website
In 2020, Royan's Notre dame church gets a second star in Michelin's Green Guide - According to an online article by France Bleu
Want to discover other destinations in France? Discover the most beautiful beaches in and around Royanor Discover the chateaux of the Loire Valley!
