La Chapelle Built by Le Corbusier

Perched at the top of the Bourlémont hill, the Notre-Dame du Haut chapel in Ronchamp is a key part of the architectural heritage of Haute-Saône. Designed by the visionary Le Corbusier and completed in 1955, this emblematic work brilliantly combines modern architecture and spirituality.

The only UNESCO site in Haute-Saône, the chapel has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2016, alongside 16 other Le Corbusier sites, as part of “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Exceptional Contribution to the Modern Movement”.

The history of this sacred site dates back to the Middle Ages, but it was after the destruction of the old chapel during the Second World War that Le Corbusier was commissioned to create a new building. Le Corbusier’s revolutionary approach resulted in a boldly shaped structure in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings. Visitors are immediately struck by the curves of the chapel and its roof, evocative of an overturned ship’s hull or a crab’s shell.

Inside, the uncluttered space bathed in coloured light filtered through unique windows – painted by Le Corbusier himself – invites meditation and wonder. Renowned the world over, the chapel attracts not only pilgrims, but also architecture enthusiasts and art lovers from all over the world. The Notre-Dame du Haut chapel is an exceptional testimony to Le Corbusier’s creative genius and a symbol of the renewal of sacred architecture in the 20th century.