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Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires in Angers was built in a 17th century chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame and enlarged in 1842. At the end of the 19th century, its reconstruction was decided thanks to the legacy of Marie Guitton, a parishioner who died in 1883. The current Romano-Byzantin-style building was built between 1898 and 1904 under the direction of architect Auguste Beignet, replacing an earlier church that had been heavily rebuilt over the centuries.

However, the history of the site goes much further: a medieval chapel, founded around 1332 by Bishop Jean Dubois, was acquired in 1621 by the Oratorians. These reconstructed the transept and choir between 1674 and 1677. In 1802, the church became parish under the name of Notre-Dame, succeeding that of Saint-Michel-du-Tertre. Between 1843 and 1847, architect François Villers added a nave, a porch and a baptismal chapel before its destruction in 1898 to give way to the current building.

The present church is distinguished by its Latin cross plan, its bell tower-pouch framed by two circular towers, and its polychrome facades mixing schist and tuffeau. Although the bell tower arrow was never built, the building has been listed as a historic monument since 1 September 2006. Its eclectic architecture and complex history reflect the religious and urban evolutions of the Angers.

The surrounding area has also undergone major changes: the reconstruction of the church is part of a vast urban redevelopment project, including the suppression of the old halls and the presidial. The approaches were finally built only in 1908, with the enlargement of the Place des Halles, renamed from Place Louis-Imbach, where the building now stands.

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