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Origin and history

The Church of Notre-Dame-d-Auteuil, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, is a religious building built between 1877 and 1892. It replaces an old 11th century church, rebuilt in the 14th, 15th and 17th centuries, which became too small for the growing population after the annexation of Auteuil to Paris in 1860. The architect Émile Vaudremer, known for his rationalist approach, designs a Romano-Byzantine building, characterized by domes, arches and a sober decor. Father Lamazou, pastor of Auteuil, played a key role in his financing and implementation.

The church is distinguished by its 50-metre bell tower, its porch adorned with a Virgin to the Child and a Christ in majesty, as well as a nave illuminated by domes. Inside, the golden apse presents a Pantocrator Christ, while works such as a Mater Dolorosa by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and a modern golden lead altar by Philippe Kaeppelin adorn the chapels. The crypt houses a copy of a 17th century Virgin, the original being stolen in 2006.

The great organs, originally planned for the Exhibition of 1878 at the Trocadéro, were finally installed here in 1885, replaced by an instrument of 53 games. Four historic bells, one of which has been listed as a historic monument since 1994, are the rhythm of the neighbourhood's life. The church, registered as a historical monument in 2018, benefited from an interior ravage between 2021 and 2023, reviving its architecture.

In front of the church, a red marble obelisk, erected in 1753 as a tribute to Henri François d'Aguesseau, recalls local history. The site also marked culture, inspiring Alfred de Musset and welcoming a mass in 1978 in tribute to Claude François. Its elongated and narrow plan, adapted to a sloped terrain, reflects Vaudremer's ingenuity, mixing functionality and Byzantine references.

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