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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Julien de Domfront, located in Orne, replaces an 18th-century building destroyed by a storm. Built between 1924 and 1926 by architect Albert Guilbert, it is distinguished by its Hennebique reinforced concrete structure and its square plan inspired by Byzantine art. Its central bell tower, 51 meters high, dominates an apse adorned with a mosaic Christ Pantocrator, work of painter-glass Jean Gaudin. The building was consecrated in 1933 after the completion of the interior decorations.

The church was listed as a Historical Monument in 1993 and labeled "Twentieth Century Heritage". As early as 2006, concrete damage caused its closure for safety. A major restoration campaign, conducted between 2011 and 2013, allows its reopening to the public. A second phase is planned to preserve its interior decorations, including mosaics and stained glass, while its history reflects the technical and artistic challenges of the inter-war period.

The initial project arose after the collapse of the dome of the old church in 1924, accelerated by storms. Albert Guilbert, a Parisian architect, offers a modern concrete building, reusing the sandstone stones of the old construction. The 1901 contest for a new church had failed due to budgetary constraints and the 1905 law on the separation of churches and the state. The bell tower, damaged during the Second World War, was subsequently repaired, including a safety net installed in 1995.

The interior, designed as a unique space thanks to the concrete arches, houses an organ stand and painted or mosaïqué wall decorations. The organ, installed in 1931 by the factor Gloton de Nantes, completes this artistic ensemble. The church illustrates the architectural innovation of the 1920s, combining functionality and neo-Byzantine aesthetics, while testifying to the challenges of preserving the heritage of the 20th century.

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