St. Joan of Arc Church and Le Touquet Town Hall

You’re standing in front of one of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage’s most distinctive landmarks: the Church of Saint Joan of Arc. Its understated, almost modest appearance contrasts sharply with the whimsical elegance of the town’s villas, yet it tells an important chapter in Le Touquet’s history. What you see today is actually the third church to be built on this spot. The first, inaugurated in 1911, was destroyed during the Second World War. The second, hastily rebuilt, never really won over the locals. It wasn’t until 1960 that this final version, designed by architect Pierre Bienaimé, took shape. Its boldly modern style breaks from tradition: a Greek-cross floor plan, clean geometric forms, raw concrete mixed with stone, and a slender spire reaching skyward, all combining to give a sense of simplicity and strength. If the church is open, step inside for a moment. Soft light filters through stunning stained glass windows, many created by master glass artist Max Ingrand, renowned for his work in some of France’s greatest cathedrals. These windows depict both the life of Joan of Arc and key moments in the Christian liturgy. In fact, this was the very first church in France dedicated to the Maid of Orléans. It took the name Joan of Arc as early as 1911, nearly a decade before her canonization in 1920, at the suggestion of English benefactors who wished to express reconciliation and regret for their country’s role in her death. To this day, an outdoor Mass is held here each May in her honor. Now, turn around and you’ll see another striking building: Le Touquet’s Town Hall. With its red brick, white stone, and soaring belfry, it looks like it could have been lifted straight from an Anglo-Norman manor. That was no accident, when it was inaugurated in 1931, the goal was to showcase the resort’s chic, cosmopolitan identity. Its neo-regionalist style, typical of northern France, reflects local roots while nodding to the British influence that shaped Le Touquet in the early 20th century. The wide, open porch invites you in; inside, the décor is understated yet elegant, with a lovely marriage hall that hosts numerous ceremonies each year. More than just an administrative building, the Town Hall stands as a symbol of the prosperity and refinement that have long defined this one-of-a-kind resort.