I like to add to this wonderful monument in my blog, It was my church while living in Versailles, you have read enough! I found older new pictures not in my blog and they should, especially on the Collegiate Church Notre Dame of Versailles !!! This is it, if you are coming to see monuments away from the palace/museum , and you should, this is a must, the history of France, Europe, the World started here really,, Hope you enjoy the post as I,
The Collegiate Church Notre Dame of Versailles is located rue de la Paroisse and facing rue Hoche, Notre-Dame is known to all Versailles residents. Built between 1684 and 1686 by the famous architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, its history is punctuated by very important episodes such as the departure of the inaugural procession of the States-General, on May 4, 1789. The Diocese of Versailles, suffragan of Paris, was created by Pope Pius VII, following the Concordat of 1801, promulgated in April 1802 at Notre-Dame de Paris. On October 9, 1966, on the feast of Saint-Denis, and in the overall reorganization of the parrish of Paris, the Diocese of Versailles was identified with the territory of the Yvelines department 78 by an autograph letter from Pope Paul VI.
New info on the ongoing restoration of the enclosure and the roof of the Notre-Dame Church is progressing. The church suffered from alterations related to its obsolescence. The City of Versailles is the contracting authority for this restoration, which will be carried out over several years. It is emblematic monument of the City of Versailles, This is a restoration program for the main façade and the Sacré-Coeur Chapel. In addition, the elected officials approved the renovation of the great organ of the church, The great organ of the church was built from 1687 to 1691 by Julien Tribuot, and the sideboard was built in 1687 by Antoine Rivet, A new Choir organ was built by Merklin according to the estimate of September 29, 1869. The organ was raised by the Abbey house in 1911; it is still presently in the choir; but transformed in 1974 following the removal of the woodwork, it now comes without a sideboard.
The construction of the Notre-Dame Church for short, was ordered by King Louis XIV to be able to exercise the worship imposed by the official religion. This church was built to supplement the small chapel of the castle suitable only for the prayers of the royal family, By the end of April 1686 it was placed 6 bells giving the notes do, re, mi, fa, sol, la. The Archbishop of Paris blesses them on May 3. The Dauphin, the Dauphine and four other blood princes accepted the sponsorship. By January 12, 1782 , despite the opposition of the building dept, the parish increased the number of its bells. The first, named Louis, by the king and queen; the second, Louise-Marie, by the Dauphin; the third, Marie, by Monsieur; the fourth, Thérèse, by the Comte d’Artois; the fifth, Elisabeth, by Mme Elisabeth; the sixth, Adelaide; the seventh, Victory; the eighth, Sophia.
On the eve of the French revolution, the parish of Notre Dame was served by 14 priests who lived in community, with 5 Vincentians attached to the castle chapel, in the mission house. We can imagine to see the Notre-Dame parish live in this period of anguish and restriction of political and religious freedom. First of all, the clergy of Versailles will try to find a compromise with the revolutionaries (republicans). The unsworn clergy of Versailles had to leave in the first fortnight of February, 1789 except for a few Lazarists who pursue an underground ministry. The revolution requiring cannons, many bells of Notre Dame are destroyed on site and taken to be melted down. On November 7, 1793, there is a general depretization with the closing of the churches is voted but not without conflicts. The Church of Notre Dame is completely stripped and transformed into this “Temple of Reason”. After the failure of the city in the face of the refusal of Notre-Dame and its clergy to take the oath (revolutionary constitution), other places of worship are inspected. It was then that on January 16, 1798, the city issued an order to close the four oratories where worship was celebrated clandestinely. Thus the church was closed on September 15, 1798 ,and only became a ten-day place of worship. The church was subsequently taken over by the city to celebrate the decadal worship, consisting of the reading of the laws and the celebration of serial marriages. From October 12, 1798, the Catholics had more at their disposal for worship than the Church of St Symphorien (see post) , In December 1799, Bonaparte, still consul, concerned himself with the release of the deported priests and took a new measure: citizens could use their buildings freely. But in Versailles, two clergy will try to gain a foothold in Notre-Dame: constitutional and refractory (against revolution). However, it quickly turns out that the cohabitation of the latter is impossible at Notre-Dame. Then, the Minister of the Interior declares that the Churches of St Symphorien and St Louis (see post) must suffice for the Catholics of Versailles and that Notre-Dame must remain assigned to the ten-day solemnities. On September 15, 1802, Granpré wished to restore the cross on the dome of the church and was reappointed parish priest by the bishop. Thousands of Versailles residents welcome Pope Pius VII who is led to declare: “Is this then the people who were said to be so irreligious?”
Back again into monarchy on June 25, 1816 before entering his apartment, the priest, the vicars and the administrators of the parish were presented to the king by the prince of Poix, governor of the castle and honorary churchwarden of the parish. This is a monument that the parishioners of Notre-Dame erect and dedicate to the memory of the return of Louis le Désiré (Louis XVIII) and the restoration of France.(monarchy), The baptism of the bell, according to ancient customs, took place on November 15, 1816 by the Bishop, in the presence of the authorities. The Prince de Poix represented the king, and the Duchess of Damas , the Duchess of Angouleme.
The official Notre Dame Church of Versailles : https://notredameversailles.fr/locations/eglise-notre-dame-de-versailles/
The Château de Versailles on what is around it in Versailles : https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/around-palace
The Versailles tourist office on the ND Church : https://www.versailles-tourisme.com/eglise-notre-dame.html
The City of Versailles on its history/ heritage: https://www.versailles.fr/218/decouvrir-versailles/histoire-de-versailles/une-ville-historique.htm#
There you go folks, a must when visiting Versailles as the history here very much relates to what you see at the Château de Versailles! After all, it was the royal church of the palace for many years! I was lucky to lived by here and see the Collegiate Church Notre Dame in all its splendor on Mass of notoriety attach to all its history. The decorations are very nice as well. Again,hope you enjoy the post as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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