Saint-Éloi, Modern church in 12th arrondissement, France.
Saint-Éloi is a modern church in the 12th arrondissement featuring a distinctive aluminum-clad exterior with a metal frame structure rising approximately 35 meters above the Parisian roofline. The interior contains a balcony that overlooks the main assembly space, with natural light filtering through sandblasted glass panels toward the elevated altar platform.
The current structure replaced two earlier churches dating from 1856 and 1880, with architect Marc Leboucher completing this modern design in 1968. This rebuilding represented a shift toward a radically contemporary architectural language for religious spaces.
The church is dedicated to the patron saint of metalworkers and craftspeople, a connection reflected in its striking metal exterior and industrial design. Visitors notice how the building itself becomes a tribute to the craft traditions it honors.
The trapezoid-shaped building with its expansive aluminum facade is easy to spot and clearly visible within the neighborhood. The interior layout is straightforward, with the elevated altar and balcony areas immediately apparent to visitors.
The trapezoid-shaped interior houses a Schwenkedel organ from 1970 that incorporates components salvaged from the previous church building. This instrument bridges craft traditions with the structure's bold contemporary design.
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