Soutenez Le Musée ! Faire un don

Civil and religious buildings turned into Temples
after the Revolution

The nationalisation of clergy estates during the Revolution, and the disbanding of monastic communities left many churches, monasteries and abbeys unused.

The Convention Nationale (1792-1795), having decreed that royal dwellings, immigrants property, religious estates, castles, convents, churches, convents and abbeys were henceforth national property, they all became State property. A great number of buildings were then unused and abandoned.

The Concordat encouraged them to be used again

The Concordat and the 1801 organic laws restored freedom of worship.

The political power of the Consulat (1798-1804) and of the Empire (1804-1815) promoted the use of former Catholic churches, abbeys and convents by the Protestants.

There were so many cases that they cannot be listed individually, but a few noteworthy buildings, still used as Temples today, have been selected.

Civil buildings tuned into Temples

During the 19th century some civil buildings found a new role and became Protestant Temples.

Associated notes

The architecture of 17th century churches

In the 17th century, Protestant religious architecture flourished all over France. Unfortunately few churches survive today – a large number were destroyed after only a short time.

Protestant temples : from the 16th century to the Revocation

In 16th century France Reformed services were held in former Catholic churches and in new buildings.