Église Notre-Dame de Calais

The Église Notre-Dame de Calais, known locally as église Notre-Dame de Calais, stands as a testament to the rich history and architectural grandeur of the city of Calais, France. This majestic structure, dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries, has witnessed centuries of tumultuous history, from wars and reconquests to restorations and celebrations. Classified as a historical monument since September 13, 1913, the church remains a pivotal landmark in Calais, drawing visitors with its unique blend of Gothic and Tudor architectural styles.

A Medieval Construction

The origins of the Église Notre-Dame de Calais can be traced back to the early 13th century. The original church, constructed on the site of the current transept, was a rectangular building featuring two facade towers at its entrance. However, the church suffered significant damage during the Hundred Years' War between France and England in 1346-1347. Under English occupation from the latter half of the 14th century until the 16th century, the church was reconstructed and expanded, becoming affiliated with the Archbishopric of Canterbury. The English, with the help of their Flemish allies, built the upper parts of the nave, the choir, and the tower using sand bricks due to the inaccessibility of stone quarries.

The Largest Church in Calais

In 1558, Calais was recaptured by France, and the Église Notre-Dame de Calais became the most important church in the city following the destruction of Saint-Nicolas Church, which was converted into a citadel. The 17th century saw the addition of the axial chapel, known as the Chapel of the Virgin, extending the church to a length of 88 meters and allowing it to accommodate up to six thousand worshippers.

19th Century Restoration

During the French Revolution, the church was repurposed as a temple dedicated to the Cult of Reason and later used as a warehouse. It was returned to the Catholic Church in 1802. In the late 19th century, the Dean of Calais, Archpriest Lencquesaing, initiated neo-Gothic style decoration works in 1863. Plaster ogives covered the wooden vaults, plaster coated the walls, and the main portal was reconstructed in the Tudor style, which was popular in Calais at the time. The church was officially designated as a historical monument on September 10, 1913.

The Wedding of Charles de Gaulle and Yvonne Vendroux

One of the most notable events in the church's history is the wedding of Charles de Gaulle and Yvonne Vendroux on April 7, 1921. Yvonne Vendroux, from a prominent industrial family in Calais, met Charles de Gaulle, then a captain returning from a mission in Poland, in Paris in 1920. Their marriage in the Église Notre-Dame de Calais added a significant chapter to the church's storied past.

Destruction and Restoration in the 20th Century

The church suffered severe damage during World War II when it was bombed by the Allies on September 23, 1944, causing the tower to collapse onto the north transept. Initially threatened with total destruction after the Liberation, the church underwent extensive restoration starting in the 1960s. The nave and tower were reconstructed between 1963 and 1973, new stained glass windows were created by master glassmaker Gérard Lardeur between 1976 and 1978 (and again in 2001), and the choir, altarpiece, and chapel were restored from 2002 to 2013.

Exterior Architecture

The Église Notre-Dame de Calais, built in the shape of a Latin cross, resembles a fortress with its massive, fortified appearance. It is the only religious building in France constructed in the English Perpendicular Gothic style. A quadrangular lantern tower, standing 56 meters tall, was built above the transept crossing in the 15th century. Reinforced by corner buttresses and intermediate buttresses, the tower gives the church its imposing, fortified look. The lower part of the tower houses four bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1821 and weighs 2.8 tons. The upper part of the tower is octagonal and conical, topped with a spire covered in slate and crowned with a rooster. A gallery at the base of the spire served as a walkway until 1846, offering clear views of Dover Castle on a clear day.

Interior Grandeur

The Choir

The choir of the Église Notre-Dame de Calais is notable for its grandeur. Above the high altar stands an impressive baroque altarpiece made of polychrome marble and stone, created by Flemish sculptor Adam Lottmann between 1624 and 1629. The altarpiece features a painting of the Assumption by Gerard Seghers, restored in 2005, and a niche with a sculpture of the Virgin and Child, surrounded by angels and allegories of Faith and Hope. The lower part of the high altar is adorned with fine sculptures and a tabernacle decorated with columns of jasper and bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes.

The Marian Chapel

The Marian Chapel, built between 1631 and 1635, extends from the choir and is supported by thick brick buttresses and topped with a dome adorned with a lantern. Its exterior austere appearance contrasts with the richly decorated interior, featuring large arched windows and classical French stucco work. The chapel contains the alabaster funerary monument of Lucrèce de Bernes, the wife of Antoine de Jacomel, a master of requests at the royal court.

The Transept

The transept houses a sculpted group representing the Entombment, dating from the late 16th or early 17th century. The Christ figure, lying on a stone tomb, is surrounded by Mary, Saint John, Mary Magdalene, and other biblical figures. The restoration of these limestone statues has revealed traces of polychromy and the intricate details of the sculptures.

The Nave

The nave features wooden vaulted ceilings supported by cylindrical columns and large arched windows filled with colorful stained glass created by Gérard Lardeur. The 15th-century baptismal font, made of Soignies stone, was reinstalled in 2005. Two 19th-century holy water fonts by sculptor Naffei were also restored and placed near the main entrance.

The Église Notre-Dame de Calais is not just a place of worship; it is a living museum of history and art, reflecting the cultural and architectural evolution of Calais over the centuries. A visit to this magnificent church offers a journey through time, showcasing the resilience and beauty of a structure that has stood the test of time and conflict.