Construction of the first temple 1843 (≈ 1843)
Neoclassical temple on Gambetta Street.
5 janvier 1945
Destruction by bombardment
Destruction by bombardment 5 janvier 1945 (≈ 1945)
First temple destroyed during the war.
1945-1956
Temporary wooden temple
Temporary wooden temple 1945-1956 (≈ 1951)
Offered by the World Council of Churches.
1953-1957
Construction of the current temple
Construction of the current temple 1953-1957 (≈ 1955)
Modernist style by Hebrard, Baraton and Bauhain.
1962
Installation of the organ
Installation of the organ 1962 (≈ 1962)
Work of factor Schwendekel.
2002
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 2002 (≈ 2002)
Listed as historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Marc Hébrard - Architect
Co-conceptor of the current temple.
René Baraton - Architect
Co-conceptor of the current temple.
Jean Bauhain - Architect
Co-conceptor of the current temple.
Schwendekel - Organ factor
Creator of the organ installed in 1962.
Origin and history
The Protestant temple of Royan is a reformed religious building located in the town of Royan, Charente-Maritime. It replaces a first neoclassical temple built in 1843 on Gambetta Street, destroyed during the bombings of January 5, 1945. Between 1945 and 1956, a temporary wooden temple, offered by the Ecumenical Council of Churches, allowed the continuation of worship before being dismantled and transferred to La Tremblade.
The present temple, built between 1953 and 1957, is the work of architects Marc Hebrard, René Baraton and Jean Bauhain. Its modernist architecture, inspired by the Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Pampulha (Brazil), is distinguished by an 18-metre campanile, a trapezoidal vessel and materials such as reinforced concrete, stone and metal. The complex includes a hall of worship, parish spaces, a presbytery and an 18th-century Protestant cemetery.
Ranked a historic monument since 2002, the temple illustrates Royan's architectural renewal after World War II. Its organ, installed in 1962 and built by Schwendekel, as well as its integration into a functional complex (housements, communal halls), make it a notable example of the 20th century religious heritage in New Aquitaine.
