CONSTRUCTION

XVIIth century	Foundation stone Dedication Architect Master builder Carpenter Joiners Sculptors laid by Louis XIV on March 10th, 1684 on October 30th, 1686 Jules HARDOUIN MANSART Maurice GABRIEL MALLET VEDEAU and REMY Pierre MAZELINE and Noël JOUVENET
XVIIIth century	Sculptures in the choir on the pillasters, capitals ans transverse ribs: 1786.
XIXth c.	Chapel of the Blessed-Sacrament added.
Internal dimensions	Lenght 80m, width 34m, height under the key-stone of the vault : 19m.

NOTRE DAME, A ROYAL PARISH

Since 1662, Louis XIV had been attracted by the hunting lodge which his father Louis XIII had built in the forest around Versailles, which was then nothing but a small village. His intention to turn it into his residence was fulfilled by carrying out a number of developments, and the new town grew along with the palace. It was not until twenty years later that he had a parish church built to replace the old church of St Julien. He wanted it to be worthy of the new town where the King and his court as well as the Royal administration would be based from then on. No doubt there was a Chapel Royal in the palace, but the King was a good parishioner and he meant all parochial ceremonies - baptisms, marriages, burials - to take place in the new church. The King had his seat in the choir; Mme de MAINTENON had hers on the left, in front of the altar rail. The established order of ritual was carried on under Louis XV and Louis XVI. And it was from Notre-Dame that the inaugural procession of the "Estates General" proceeded in 1789.

 

LOUIS XIV's BUILDING AND THE FURNITURE OF THE PERIOD

The building completed between 1684 and 1686 has retained its original appearance. Its majestic pile closes the perspective of a street which starts from Place Hoche and ends at the chuch-front. It is not the only exemple of this type of layout; but its height has been limited, in keeping with the surrounding houses and buildings since the rule was that the palace should dominate the whole town. The whole building is in the classical style with the ionic order superimposed upon the doric and the pediment above. The carvings are worthy of note : the basso-rilievos of Religion and Charity (20) and statues of Faith (19) and Hope (21). The interior, in the neo-classical style, is both grand and restrained. It assures the shape of a wide nave with a slightly flattened barrel vault supported by doric pillars with arches opening on to the two sides aisles. The decoration was completed in the XVIIIth century and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament behind the choir was added in the XIXth century. The original furniture disappeared during the Revolution, except for the pulpit, the work of HURTEL (2), some panelling and the great organ-case. Ten paintings date back to the period of Louis XIV : among them can be especially noticed the Assumption, by Michel CORNEILLE (10), which adorns the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

The pillars are decorated with marble medallions representing the Twelve Apostles and Saint Mary Magdalen (7) by the Royal Academy of Painting and Carving. Saint Roch visiting sick people, by Francisque MILLET (1) - The great marble Christ by MAGNIER (1695) comes from the Priory of Longjumeau (3) - Saint Hubert, a work of the French School (1730) (4) - Saint Sebastian's martyrdom, by Carle VAN LOO (5) - Saint Vincent de Paul, preaching to Emmanuel de GONDI and his family by Jean RESTOUT (6) - A pieta by the French School (1632) (8) - The Transfiguration (XVIIth century) (9) - The last Supper (XVIIth century) (11) - The Holy Family, by the XVIIth century Flemish School (12) - The Assumption of the Virgin by BERNET (1761) (13) - Saint Demetria's martyrdom (15) - Louis XIII presenting his crown to the Virgin, from the XVIIIth century French School (1632) (16).

In the XIXth century, the building was refurnished : the confessionnals were installed and all the stained glass was renewed in the 1870's. There are also a few items which are dear the people of Versailles's hearts : the embroidered silk banner presented by Pope Pius VI (14) in the Mansart Chapel (17) - the cenotaph of VERGENNES, Louis XVI's Foreign Secretary who signed the Treaty of Versailles and the memorial containing the heart of General HOCHE (18). For three centuries, this church has witnessed the religious life of Versailles and has taken part in the events of its history. It is still a living centre of the Faith. Each Sunday 4000 Christians congregate to celebrate the Holy Mass. They recall Jesus Christ's Passion and Resurrection from the dead. The lord feeds them with his word and Body and sends them to proclaim the Good News throughout the word.