It almost looks like a strange vessel parked in the middle of this town in the Yvelines. It’s here, in Vélizy-Villacoublay, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church captures the imagination of enthusiasts of unusual heritage.
To understand this church, you need to look at the metamorphosis of Vélizy-Villacoublay. The town underwent profound upheaval from the late 1950s, when it was designated a priority urbanization area. The office of architect Alain Gillot was then commissioned to craft the new face of Vélizy, with housing, roads, facilities, and infrastructure.
In this context, the old Saint-Denis church could no longer accommodate a rapidly growing population. Construction of a new church was launched in February 1970, and Saint-Jean-Baptiste was consecrated on January 24, 1971 by Louis Simonneaux, the Bishop of Versailles. It thus belongs to a generation of buildings that defined the Thirty Glorious Years.
Its originality lies first and foremost in its material: concrete, presented without gloss. This makes it a striking example of modern religious architecture, defined by clear, legible volumes, an expressive structure, and a pursuit of light. Its double nave can accommodate about 700 worshippers, and the ensemble converges toward a raised central altar. The bell tower, meanwhile, is formed by two concrete blades rising to around 25 meters, giving it a minimalist silhouette.
His other hallmark is light. The glazing placed high on the walls illuminates the interior, and abstract stained glass windows created in 1983 by glassmaker François Chapuis enrich the whole. They notably depict "the Alliance of Fire and Light above and on the Earth."
So, if you're in the area and have a passion for architecture, it's the perfect chance to discover this remarkable religious edifice!
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Location
Church of Saint John the Baptist
16 Rue Clément Ader
78140 Velizy Villacoublay
