Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France

Tucked away in London’s vibrant Soho district, a hidden gem awaits discovery: the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France. This unique chapel, a sanctuary for French Catholics in London, holds a story as captivating as its architecture. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France isn’t your typical church building. Its circular design, a unique feature crafted from iron by Louis-Auguste Boileau in 1865, makes it the first church in London built with this material. Imagine stepping inside this architectural marvel. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France’s interior is a visual feast. The walls bear witness to the artistic genius of Jean Cocteau, who adorned the Chapel of the Virgin with a magnificent fresco between November 3rd and 11th, 1960. The fresco, a triptych of biblical scenes, portrays the Annunciation, Crucifixion, and Assumption. A mosaic by Boris Anrep, depicting the Nativity, graces the altar, while a statue of the Virgin by Georges Saupique adds to the spiritual ambiance. Above the main altar, in the choir, hangs a stunning Aubusson tapestry, “Notre-Dame de la Création”, based on a design by Dom Robert, a monk from the En-Calcat Abbey. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France’s journey through time is as remarkable as its art. Its roots trace back to 1861, when Cardinal Wiseman, Archbishop of Westminster, entrusted the Marist Fathers with establishing a spiritual hub for London’s French community. In 1865, Father Charles Faure acquired Burford’s “Panorama”, a circular building on Leicester Square that had served as a tourist attraction since the late 18th century. This building was to become the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France, and it was inaugurated on March 25th, just a few years later. The chapel’s resilience was tested during the Battle of Britain when it was struck by two bombs. Yet, it endured, reopening for worship in 1943. A new chapter began in 1953 when Hector Corfiato led its reconstruction. A stone from Chartres Cathedral, laid by Maurice Schumann, became the cornerstone of this renewed sanctuary. Cardinal Feltin led the inauguration in 1955. Today, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France remains a vital spiritual and cultural center. In 2015, it oversaw one of the largest chaplaincies for French citizens abroad, a testament to its enduring significance. As you leave the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-France, carry with you not just the beauty of its art and architecture, but also the inspiring story of its resilience and its role as a spiritual haven for generations.