Église Saint-Roch in Paris is a compelling example of the fusion between Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, where the Baroque canons established in the 17th century continued to be utilised well into the 18th century during its prolonged construction period. The project began in 1653 under the direction of Jacques Lemercier (1585–1654), who designed the church to replace an existing chapel dedicated to Saint Suzanne. On 23 March 1653, King Louis XIV and his mother, Anne of Austria, laid the foundation stone. However, due to financial constraints, construction was halted in 1660, leaving the church unfinished for several decades.
In 1701, construction resumed under the guidance of Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1646–1708), a prominent architect of the French Baroque. Hardouin-Mansart introduced classical elements, including square pillars with Doric pilasters and floral motifs. After his death, Pierre Bullet (1639–1716) continued the work, further developing the classical features that had been introduced.
Around 1730, the church’s façade and cupola were reconstructed in a style inspired by the Church of Gesù in Rome, embodying the Jesuit Baroque architectural influence.
The church is distinguished by its blend of Baroque and Classical styles, particularly in the Chapel of the Virgin, completed in 1709 under Hardouin-Mansart. This chapel features a dome with an ‘Assumption’ painted by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (1713–1789) between 1749 and 1756. The altar, originally adorned by Étienne Maurice Falconet (1716–1791), was later enhanced with the ‘Nativity of Val-de-Grâce‘ by Michel Anguier (1612–1686) in 1805.
References
Patrimoine & Histoire- Église Saint-Roch à Paris [online]. Available at: https://www.patrimoine-histoire.fr/Patrimoine/Paris/Paris-Saint-Roch.htm (Accessed: 12 April 2024).
Gray-Durant, D. (2015) Blue Guide Paris. 12th edn. London: Somerset Books