Churches

Église Notre-Dame-des-Lumières

Notre-Dame-des-Lumières is a Catholic church in Nantes, Loire-Atlantique. It forms part of the Carmelite convent of Notre-Dame-des-Lumières and serves as its conventual church, while also being attached to the parish of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. The church was constructed between 1992 and 1994 to plans by architect Bertrand Lemaire. It stands on the site of a former military hangar on the island of Nantes.

The building is designed in a modern style with traditional inspiration. Its overall form is pentagonal, and it has a tent roof covered with slate. A high spire rises from the roof. Large stained-glass windows give the interior a very bright appearance. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary under a title commonly used by the Carmelite family. It is not classified as a historic monument.

Map showing the location of Notre-Dame-des-Lumières in Nantes
Location of Notre-Dame-des-Lumières in Nantes

Religious Role and Affiliation

Notre-Dame-des-Lumieres is a Catholic church in Nantes, Loire-Atlantique. It is part of the Carmelite convent of the same name and serves as the conventual church for that community. The church is also attached to the parish of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, linking it to both conventual and parish life in the city.

Architecture and Design

The church of Notre-Dame-de-Lumiere is built in a modern style with traditional inspiration. Its plan is pentagonal, and it is covered by a slate-clad tent roof. A high spire rises from the roof, giving the building a marked vertical accent. The interior is described as very bright, due to the presence of large stained glass windows. Despite these notable architectural features, the building is not classified as a historic monument.

Construction and Religious Role

Histoire was built on the site of a former military hangar on the island of Nantes. It was constructed between 1992 and 1994 according to plans by architect Bertrand Lemaire. The building serves as the convent church of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel convent, which was founded in Nantes in 1993. Histoire is associated with the Grands Carmes, also known as the Carmes chausses, an order that reestablished itself in France at the end of the 20th century. The church is dedicated to the patronage of the Virgin Mary, a title commonly used by the Carmelite family.