EGLISE SAINT-LOUIS

This neo-Byzantine-style church has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2006. Saint-Louis church was built between 1876 and 1913 to plans by Nantes-based architects and brothers Lucien and Ludovic Douillard, to replace the parish church damaged during the Revolution. Lucien and Ludovic Douillard had initially drawn up the plans for the competition to build the Sacré-Cœur in Paris, but as they only came 4th, they thought their project would never see the light of day. In the end, the project was revised and built on a smaller scale in Paimbœuf. The church is easily recognisable thanks to its dome, which is unique in the Pays de Retz. The beauty of the choir, painted (from 1882) by Alexis Douillard, depicting the death of Saint-Louis in Tunis, and under which sits a majestic high altar dating from 1776, made from four different Italian marbles. The high altar originally came from Buzay Abbey, which was burnt down during the French Revolution. Paimbœuf bought the altar back in 1792, and it has remained there ever since. For more information, please consult the information sheet on the church, compiled during the inventory of the commune by Françoise Lelièvre, here. Visits : July-August: Open from 2pm to 6pm – individual or group visits (limited to 20 people) Group visits all year round: on request only, call 06 31 65 33 15 Mass: Friday at 6pm and Sunday at 9.30am.