Pradeau Morin Monuments Historiques, a subsidiary of Eiffage Construction, is proud to have contributed to the restoration of the Saint-Eustache church, a 13th-century historical monument located in the heart of the Les Halles district in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. This church, classified as a historical monument since 1862, stands out for its flamboyant Gothic architecture on the outside, as well as its Renaissance and classical influences on the inside. Renowned for possessing the largest organ in France and dimensions that resemble a cathedral, Saint-Eustache embodies a treasure of French architectural heritage.
The restoration of the Saint-Eustache church, initiated in March 2022, was orchestrated by Pradeau Morin Monuments Historiques. The scope of the project, divided into 9 distinct lots, included Lot 1, managed by our teams, which encompassed site installation, scaffolding, masonry, and ashlar stone work. The operation involved restoring the covered structure of the western massif of the church, including the north and south towers, the central body with a peristyle, loggia, and terrace, as well as renovating the interiors of the vestibules of the north and south towers.
The integration of sustainable practices was at the heart of the project, with a particular focus on preserving original elements, using environmentally friendly materials, and implementing measures to limit environmental impacts.
The major challenge of this operation was to maintain the church's accessibility to the public throughout the works. Special care was taken to minimize noise disturbances and dust emissions, with suitable processes for the removal and replacement of certain architectural elements.
In 1532, the construction of the current church began with the laying of its first stone. Nearly five centuries later, the inauguration of the restored entrance massif symbolized the renewal of the church, in the presence of Karen Taieb, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of heritage, Paris history, and relations with religions, as well as our teams.
Located in the historic district of Les Halles, the "belly of Paris" dear to Zola, the Saint-Eustache church witnessed illustrious ceremonies, including the funeral of Jean de la Fontaine and the baptism of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known as Molière.
Client: Department of Religious and Historical Buildings (DECH)
Project Management: Chatillon Architects