Église Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay, Brutalist church in Nevers, France
Église Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay is a church in Nevers made entirely of concrete and built during 1964-1965. Two large oblique concrete planes form the interior space and create an unusual spatial effect through their slant and the overhead lighting windows.
The building was designed by architects Claude Parent and Paul Virilio following a competition initiated by Bishop Vial and Abbé Bourgoin. It later received recognition as a Monument Historique in 2000 and earned the Patrimoine du XXe siècle label in 2005.
The building is named after Saint Bernadette of Lourdes and has become a distinctive landmark in the Banlay neighborhood. Visitors immediately notice how its slanted concrete forms and vast windows differ from traditional church architecture.
Visitors should note that the interior is very bright due to the slanted walls and direct overhead light, which can feel intense on sunny days. The architectural details are best explored by taking time to view the space from different angles and positions.
The church was designed by Paul Virilio, an influential theorist who later became internationally renowned, while this was still early in his career. This project was one of his few built works and remains an example of his theoretical ideas expressed through architecture.
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