Église Notre-Dame-des-Saints-Anges

“A unique blend of faith and culture.” That’s how I would describe Église Notre-Dame-des-Saints-Anges here in Paris. This chapel, nestled on rue de Vaugirard, has witnessed the currents of history and the evolution of spirituality. Église Notre-Dame-des-Saints-Anges wasn’t always the vibrant hub it is today. The Society of Mary, a group of dedicated Marist priests, brothers, and sisters, took root here in the mid-19th century. Their mission was to spread the Gospel and enhance God’s glory. In 1863, they commissioned architect P. Gally to reconstruct the chapel in a neo-Gothic style, complete with 37 stained-glass windows by Joseph Vigné, each a testament to the Virgin Mary. Later, the building housed the activities of the Cercle Montalembert, a Catholic student group. From 1895 onward, it provided religious and apostolic training to young men. A nearby annex, opened in 1898 by Father Plazenet, accommodated students from outside Paris. Église Notre-Dame-des-Saints-Anges and the Cercle Montalembert fostered Catholic activism within the universities, encouraging student groups, social teams, scouting, and surveys. Remarkably, figures like François Mitterrand, Edouard Balladur, François Mauriac, André Bettencourt, François Dalle, and André Rousselet called this place home during their studies. After the student foyer closed in 1981, it transformed into Forum 104, a cultural center run by the Marist fathers. This space champions interfaith dialogue, continuing the legacy of community and spiritual exploration at Église Notre-Dame-des-Saints-Anges. Today, the Forum and the chapel coexist, bound by shared beliefs and a commitment to open hospitality. They exchange spaces, organize joint events, and enrich each other’s missions. This unique partnership between faith and culture at Église Notre-Dame-des-Saints-Anges makes it a truly special place in the heart of Paris.