Could it be this building here? To the left of the town hall? Tucked away under the trees?
Well, I must say the architecture here is full of surprises. Honestly, that building looks nothing like a church!
But this is indeed the 'Église Saint-Augustin'. Built in 1975, in line with Jean Balladur's signature style of design, the architecture is truly original and packed with symbols.
Let's hear what he has to say about his work: [Balladur quote] "The church defines itself through the symbol of branches opening out to infinity: with open arms, it welcomes everyone in, embracing the parallel fates of every man and woman... The contours of the church intertwine and rise to the sky in an oval face that holds the voice of the bell."
Jean Balladur has deliberately left the bell in full view. This bell once stood in the penitents' chapel in Montagnac, and was donated to La Grande Motte by the archbishop's palace. It bears the date 1603, with an inscription that reads "Mon ton appelle ton peuple" ("My ring calls out to your people").
As you enter the church, you may notice something quite unique about it: the entrance door faces the sea.
The interior of the building is just as original. The seats, of blonde wood, were also designed by Jean Balladur, and they're arranged in a circle, facing the altar. Crafted by sculptor Jean-Jacques Bris, this altar depicts the allegorical grain of wheat that, once planted, grew to yield a hundredfold. The altar contains the relics of two martyrs, and also the testament of Christian de Cherge, prior of Tibhirine in Algeria, who was assassinated in 1996 along with six other monks in his brethren.
Another striking feature of the church is the light, that streams in through three immense stained-glass windows. These were created in 1995 by Jacques Loire, master glassmaker in Chartres. The artist took into account the specificities of both the church and the city. Here's what he has to say.
This place is very much a holiday destination, where people don't necessarily feel the need to be in a religious environment; they're on holiday, it's sunny more often than not, there's all kinds of entertainment on offer everywhere. So I opted for an atmosphere of greater peace and serenity, to offer a contrast between the active life and the contemplative life. A tall order, perhaps; but my hope is that, as you step into the church, you're filled with a sense of calm, of inward contemplation.
There are windows on either side of the choir, one evoking the sea and the other, the radiance of St. Augustine. At the back, the stained glass window behind the choir depicts the radiant light of Christ, coming down from heaven to enlighten us.
Though it looks like a conventional stained glass window, this last work actually has a special quality... The master glassmaker had to surmount a few difficulties to make it, because the window would, in fact, open up onto the patio, thus breaking up the picture on the stained glass.
This unusual feature was part of Jean Balladur's design, to include a "summer church" providing additional space for the seasonal influx of visitors.
So, here in La Grande Motte in summertime, mass is held outside!
The architect thus provides those attending mass with the most beautiful of buildings... a vaulted ceiling of umbrella pines!