Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-de-Lorette church in Paris, located in the 9th arrondissement, is a neoclassical building built in the 19th century. It replaces a 17th century chapel, destroyed in 1796 after being sold as a national property. This first chapel, dedicated to Notre-Dame de Lorette, was located on Rue Lamartine and served the inhabitants of the Porcherons district, then outside the walls of Paris.

The construction of the present church was decided in 1821 to meet the spiritual needs of a growing neighbourhood, including the arrival of artists in New Athens. An architectural contest was launched in 1822, won by Hippolyte Le Bas, whose project inspired Roman basilicas. The first stone was laid in 1823 under Louis XVIII, and the building was completed in 1836 under Louis-Philippe. The church was listed as a historical monument in 1984.

The neoclassical architecture of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is distinguished by its carved pediment representing the Virgin and Child, surrounded by angels, and its wall decorations painted directly on the walls, an innovative technique for the era. The frescoes, made with wax to resist moisture, illustrate the life of the Virgin Mary and the sacraments. The church also houses a dome painted by Pierre-Claude-François Delorme, one of the few Parisian examples of the period.

During the Paris Commune in 1871, the church was transformed into a barracks and a prison for the refractories. Over the centuries, it has welcomed notable personalities such as Georges Bizet and Claude Monet, baptized in its walls, or Gustave Caillebotte, whose funerals were celebrated there. His name refers to the Holy House of Lorette in Italy, a place of pilgrimage linked to Marian tradition.

Today, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is recognized for its flamboyant decor, although threatened by time. Since 2013, it has been on the World Monument Fund's list of monuments at risk, and restoration work began in 2019. Its history reflects the political, artistic and urban upheavals of Paris in the 19th century.

External links