Notre Dame de Haut

The Notre Dame de Haut chapel, located in Ronchamp, France, is also commonly referred to as Notre Dame du Haut or the Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut by visitors. Most locals to the area, however, call it the Ronchamp Chapel. The building has been standing since 1955, when it was created by Le Corbusier, an important architect of the day.

When most people think of the typical Notre Dame image, they picture a large, luxurious cathedral. The Notre Dame du haut Ronchamp, however, is much simpler than this. The Chapel at Ronchamp has only two entrances, one altar, and three chapels underneath each tower. Despite its small size, the chapel is visited regularly by tourists and locals alike.

Interestingly enough, the Chapel Ronchamp is actually not the first chapel at Ronchamp. The first chapel at the location was ruined during World War II, forcing the Ronchamps Chapel to be rebuilt. The earlier Chapel de Ronchamp was designed in the fourth century.

Though the chapel is very small and less ornate than one might expect, it does have some lovely furnishings and decorations for visitors to enjoy. There are lovely stained glass pieces set into the thick walls, allowing for a unique experience in which the walls appear to glow and come alive with light and life. Furthermore, there is a large outdoor altar and pulpit, complete with a beautiful statue of the Virgin. The statue was famously rescued from the original destroyed building.

Throughout most of the year, visitors and locals trickle into the chapel to pray or to attend a service at all times of the day and night. However, this chapel is a pilgrimage chapel, so it becomes loaded with tourists and locals on the special feast days, so visits on these days should be planned out carefully.