Ancien carmel

Tucked away in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, the Ancien Carmel whispers tales of a unique history. The land for the Ancien Carmel was a gift from the Count of Montalembert to the Carmelite nuns. The nuns saw their move to Villeneuve-d’Ascq as a chance to be closer to the students at the new university campus. The architect Philippe Lepère, from Lille, worked closely with the nuns for years to design the Ancien Carmel. The buildings are made of white-painted concrete modules, raised 80 cm above the ground. This design symbolizes the nuns’ detachment from earthly concerns and also addresses the specific conditions of the land. The living modules have rooftop terraces. The chapel is at the heart of the Ancien Carmel. A low wall separates the public space from the nuns’ enclosure. The former meadow was transformed into a park with paths, a rose garden, a screen of poplars, and an outdoor oratory. The Ancien Carmel was inaugurated on November 30, 1974. The Ancien Carmel’s facades and roofs are now protected, having been registered as a historic monument on November 21, 2001. This excludes the later additions of the wooden walkways and terraces. The Ancien Carmel stands as a testament to modern religious architecture, blending functionality with spiritual symbolism.