Église Notre-Dame-du-Chêne de Viroflay, Modern Catholic church in Viroflay, France.
Notre-Dame-du-Chêne is a modern church with an elliptical floor plan and two pyramid-shaped spires rising about 34 meters. The roof combines copper and slate materials, while the interior is spanned by two ridge beams without intermediate supports, creating an open prayer space beneath.
Built between 1960 and 1966, the church was designed by architects Louis, Luc, and Thierry Sainsaulieu and draws inspiration from Sydney Opera House design principles. This post-war construction represented a modern approach to sacred architecture in France.
The interior displays a 1971 mural by Marie Baranger showing Notre-Dame with contemporary community members set in a forest landscape. This artwork blends religious tradition with local life, giving the prayer space a personal connection to the people who worship here.
The church is located on Rue Rieussec and hosts regular services with a crypt beneath the main choir available for gatherings. Visitors should check opening hours ahead of time and dress respectfully if attending services.
The interior ceiling is designed as a diamond-shaped lattice of laminated wood that appears light despite supporting the entire roof weight. This engineering solution is uncommon in church buildings and shows how the architects creatively solved structural challenges.
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