Temple protestant Abbeys, Churches, Priories in Saintes

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Located on the Cours Reverseseaux, the Temple Protestant of Saintes is the work of the Parisian architect Adolf Augustin Rey. Its construction began in 1905 and it was inaugurated in February 1906. The architect, who also worked on the construction of the Printemps and Temple du Bon Secours stores in Paris, uses an original formula and innovative building materials.

The Temple of Saintes is one of the first religious buildings built in reinforced concrete. It has a tripartite facade with a portal under a gabled front, inspired by the facade of the Imperial Chapel of Biarritz (late 19th century). With many round-arched windows, it is richly decorated with sculptures by Arnold in the Art Nouveau style. The facade contrasts with the interior of the Temple, which is much more sober.

This eclectic monument is built on a rectangular plan divided into three naves covered by a barrel vault. Here again, a note of originality has been created : the barrel vault of the nave is hollowed out to give way to a large zenithal daylight in the shape of an elongated cross which, like the openings on the façade, has been given a set of stained glass windows.