Built in the 1970s, Notre-Dame de Créteil was initially a straightforward and utilitarian structure. Its design embodied the architectural style of the era: concrete, clean lines, and a focus on functionality. However, in 2013, a significant transformation radically altered its appearance.
Architects Charles-Gustave Stoskopf (responsible for the original structure), followed by Charles-Henri Tachon and Jean-Marie Duthilleul (leading the renovation), envisioned a bold extension: two sweeping arcs of curved wood that rise skyward and converge more than 20 meters above the ground. The result? An oval-shaped silhouette that is both inviting and intriguingly striking.
This contemporary building is sometimes likened to a spaceship docked in the heart of Créteil. Others see it as the hull of a ship. Regardless, its architecture provokes a reaction, especially with its use of cross-laminated timber. Inside, natural light streams down from the top, flooding the space with a gentle, luminous glow.
Unlike Gothic cathedrals, where light passes through stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes, here it becomes an architectural element in its own right. The gaze is drawn skyward, reminiscent of a medieval nave… but with a sleek, 21st-century aesthetic. Today, the Créteil Cathedral serves as the seat of the Diocese of Val-de-Marne. It can accommodate over 1,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest contemporary cathedrals built in France in recent decades.
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Location
Notre-Dame of Créteil
2 Rue Pasteur Vallery Radot
94000 Creteil
