Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame du Raincy church, also known as Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolation, was built between 1922 and 1923 by architects Auguste and Gustave Perret. commissioned by Abbé Félix Nègre to respond to the population growth of the Raincy, it commemorates the victory of Ourcq (1914) and pays tribute to the taxis of the Marne. Its originality lies in the pioneering use of reinforced concrete, a material then experimental, and in its rapid construction (14 months) despite a limited budget (300,000 francs).

The project came from a competition organized in 1916 by the Société de Saint-Jean, but it was thanks to the intervention of Gabriel Thomas, financier of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, that the Perret brothers were chosen. Their estimate, much lower than the other proposals (1.8 million francs), seduces the parish despite initial reservations about concrete, perceived as ungrateful material. The first stone was laid on April 30, 1922, and the building was consecrated on June 17, 1923 by Bishop Gibier of Versailles.

The church is distinguished by its basic plan without transept, imposed by the narrowness of the terrain, and by its structural innovations: thin walls of concrete 3 cm thick, slender columns 11 m high, and standardization of prefabricated elements. The stained glass windows, designed by Marguerite Huré from cartons by Maurice Denis, blend abstraction and figurativeness, while Antoine Bourdelle creates a pietà for the tympanum. Ranked a historic monument in 1966, it became a symbol of modern architecture.

Since the 1960s, concrete has shown signs of degradation (excess waste water, lime, poorly coated reinforcements), requiring several restoration campaigns. The roofs were redone in 1988-1989, the facades between 1992 and 1996, and the bell tower, particularly fragile, was the subject of recurrent work, including a new phase launched in 2017. The stained glass windows, in excellent condition, are restored by the Durand workshop, while the historic organ of John Abbey (1876), transferred from Saint-Louis Church, was renovated in 2010.

The church of the Raincy inspired many later achievements, such as the chapel of Tokyo (1937) or the church of Saint Joseph du Havre (1951). Its bell tower, rising 43 meters, is inspired by New York skyscrapers, while its interior, bathed in light by the claustras, creates a classic and revolutionary atmosphere. Le Corbusier, while critical of its facade, recognizes its importance in the history of modern architecture.

Today, Notre-Dame du Raincy remains an active place of worship and an emblematic monument, attracting visitors and researchers. His history reflects the technical, aesthetic and financial challenges of his time, while embodying the audacity of the Perret brothers, who have been able to transform constraints into lasting innovations. Its commemorative stained glass window, The Virgin of Taxis, recalls its anchoring in local and national history.

External links