Saint-Joseph Church

The Church of Saint-Joseph

The Le Havre audio-guided tour brings you to the Church of Saint-Joseph, a surprising and unique building, a masterpiece of 20th-century sacred architecture. A symbol of the reconstruction and rebirth of the city, this place of worship is discovered with respect and contemplation.

Perret's major work

Built at the end of the reconstruction period, the Church of Saint-Joseph replaces the former neo-Gothic church destroyed by the war. It is the work of Auguste Perret, who made it his tallest and most spiritual creation. Its lantern tower, rising to more than a hundred metres, evokes the silhouette of skyscrapers and serves as a beacon for sailors. It is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the bombings of Le Havre.

What there is to see

The interior of the church is striking: the lantern tower, pierced by thousands of coloured glass panes designed by Marguerite Hure, lets through a changing light that plunges the space into an atmosphere of contemplation. The verticality and bareness of the concrete give the place great spiritual force. One enters with respect, keeping in mind its memorial function.

Practical information

The Church of Saint-Joseph is in the heart of the rebuilt centre of Le Havre, near Avenue Foch and the sea. Access is generally free outside services; hours may vary by season. A place of worship and memory, it requires proper dress, silence and a contemplative attitude.

Who built the Church of Saint-Joseph in Le Havre ?

Auguste Perret made it his major work, a symbol of the reconstruction; its lantern tower rises to more than a hundred metres.

Why is the Church of Saint-Joseph a place of memory ?

It is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the bombings of Le Havre, and symbolises the rebirth of the city destroyed by the war.