Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Armees (Chapel of Our Lady of the Armies), Versailles

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Armies was built in 1877 and designed by local architect Frantz Blondel under the direction of the Eudist Fathers. It originally served as part of the Foyer du Soldat-a Soldiers’ Home providing spiritual support, social gatherings, and facilities like a canteen and auditorium for French Army personnel and their families.

The chapel emerged from a broader military pastoral initiative started in Paris in 1862 by the Eudists to support isolated soldiers. Transferred to Versailles during the turmoil of the Paris Commune in 1871, it became known as “Notre-Dame du Soldat”, meaning Our Lady of the Soldier. With strong ecclesiastical endorsement-including an archconfraternity established by Pope Leo XIII in 1875-the chapel became a focus of devotion through the early 20th century.

Built in a neo-Gothic style, the chapel has no tower and remains relatively modest in scale. During World War II, its stained-glass windows were largely destroyed; only the rose window behind the organ survived. Affiliations shifted over time: from Eudist management to near closure in the 1960s–70s, before being preserved by a local association established in 1973 to save the chapel from repurposing.

Today, the Chapel functions as a quasi-parish chapel within the Diocese of Versailles, conducting regular masses-some in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite-with support from diocesan clergy.