Notre Dame du Haut

Notre Dame du Haut is a Roman Catholic chapel at Ronchamp in eastern France, designed by architect Le Corbusier and completed in 1955. It is an influential example of modern sacred architecture and a destination for both pilgrims and architecture enthusiasts.

The chapel was commissioned to replace an earlier sanctuary destroyed during World War II; construction was carried out under Le Corbusier’s direction and the building was consecrated in 1955. Since then it has become a reference work in modern architecture and has undergone conservation to protect its concrete and plaster surfaces.

Perched on a low hill near the town of Ronchamp in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the chapel overlooks rolling countryside roughly 25 kilometres south of Belfort and is accessed by narrow local roads and a short walk up the hill.

• Completion date: The chapel was completed in 1955 and is considered one of the major works of 20th-century religious architecture.
• Best time to visit: Weekdays and off-season mornings are typically quieter for experiencing the interior light and irregular window openings without crowds.

What to See #

• Main chapel: The main chapel building designed by Le Corbusier, completed in 1955, with thick curving concrete walls and a distinctive upturned roof that appears to float above the nave.
• Forecourt and approach: Exterior pilgrimage area and open forecourt used for gatherings and processions, oriented on the hillside overlooking the surrounding countryside.
• Bell tower and ancillary spaces: Bell tower and ancillary spaces including chapels and a small museum that interprets the site's modern architecture and devotional use.