Saint-Louis Cathedral

Step into the majestic world of Saint-Louis Cathedral, a masterpiece of French Baroque, and let yourself be amazed by its elegant curves, artistic treasures, and history closely intertwined with that of the Kingdom of France.
It was in the wake of the Court’s return to Versailles in 1722, when the young Louis XV came to power, that the Saint-Louis district began to flourish, designed to balance the city against the Notre-Dame district. A provisional church was first erected, before the current cathedral was built between 1743 and 1754, based on the plans of Jacques Hardouin-Mansart de Sagonne, worthy heir of his illustrious grandfather, architect to Louis XIV.

Dominated by a bold Baroque style, where curved lines impose themselves with grace — domed roofs, delicate curves of the organ gallery — the church fascinates as much as it stands out at a time when Neoclassicism was gaining popularity. In 1764, the Chapel of the Catechisms, designed by Louis-François Trouard, was added, marking this stylistic evolution.

Inside, an exceptional collection of canvases commissioned from the great painters of the reign illuminates the chapels and walls: François Boucher, Jean Restout, Jean-Baptiste Pierre, François Lemoyne… so many prestigious names that give the cathedral its artistic nobility. The monumental organ, crafted by the master organ builder Louis-Alexandre Clicquot, still stands in the gallery, preserving the original 18th-century sounds.

The cathedral is not only an architectural gem: it is also a privileged witness to the history of France. In 1789, it was here that the opening mass of the Estates-General was celebrated, in the presence of Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and all the deputies of the kingdom. After the revolutionary turmoil and the closure of places of worship, the Concordat of 1801 restored Versailles’ episcopal status, and the Church of Saint-Louis was chosen as the cathedral.

In the 19th century, restorations brought new brilliance: colorful stained-glass windows replaced the original white glass panes. In the Chapel of the Virgin, the windows of the Annunciation and the Assumption, made in 1848 by the Sèvres Manufactory after designs by Achille Devéria, captivate with their finesse and light.

Solemnly consecrated in 1843, the Saint-Louis Cathedral of Versailles has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1906. Today, it remains one of the most remarkable treasures of Versailles’ heritage, blending artistic splendor, religious devotion, and royal memory.