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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Maison Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in Villepréux is located in the heart of the Haie Bergerie district, an iconic urban complex of the 1960s in Île-de-France. This project is part of the master plan of the region, initiated by General de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou in 1966, under the direction of Paul Deltrauvrier. The church, designed to reduce costs, is built into collective housing, with a facade illuminated by sheds evoking stained glass windows. His religious identity is marked by a sgraffit fresco by Robert Lesbounit, dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul.

The building, labeled "Twentieth Century Heritage" in 2011, was listed as a historical monument on November 3, 2020. Its particularity lies in its architectural integration: three of its sides are included in a residence combining housing and parish premises. The exterior fresco, covering 300 m2, illustrates four major themes: the life of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Annonce of Christ, a tribute to the builders and the prologue of Revelation. Inside, 600 m2 of frescoes on marouflé canvas adorn the side walls.

Historically, the name "Saint Vincent de Paul" also refers to a 16th or 17th century house, where the saint established a charitable institution in 1658. This house, distinct from the modern church, has been listed as a historic monument since 1975 for its facades and roofs. The two buildings, although separated by centuries, share a social and religious vocation rooted in local history.

The Haie Bergerie district, designed by Jacques Riboud, embodies an innovative urban planning experience, combining functionality and symbolism. The church, by its integrated architecture and its works of art, bears witness to this desire to reconcile modernity and spiritual heritage. The frescoes, made by Robert Lesbounit, constitute a major artistic heritage, combining contemporary techniques and sacred narrative.

Today, Saint Vincent de Paul Church remains an active place of worship, while being recognized for its heritage value. Its recent inscription in historical monuments underlines its importance in the history of 20th century religious architecture in France. The site attracts as much for its architectural originality as for its artistic and social heritage, linked to the emblematic figure of Saint Vincent de Paul.

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