The Saint-Denis Montpellier, in Hérault, was built from 1699 to 1702 in the former suburb of Saunerie, that is to say the current Gambetta, near the city center.
It replaced a former church dedicated to St. Denis dating from the twelfth century and was destroyed during the Wars of Religion.
Designed by architect Charles-Augustin Aviler in a "Jesuit style" (which appeared in the sixteenth century during the Counter-Reformation, near the Baroque, wanting to even its construction elements and decorations to participate spreading the faith), the church is a time served by Oratoriens then home to a seminary. She finds in the course of the eighteenth century the rank of parish.
In 1735, the church has a marble altar-master then, the Revolution, the faithful are buying the building and the works it houses when the assembly is sold as national property.
The restored worship, however, population growth causes two extensions in 1836 and 1895, which change the original appearance of the building, of which only the facade remains unchanged: it consists of an Ionic order crowned by a pediment. The frieze of the ledge is curved according to the fashion in the region. A low arch window overcomes the door semicircular the entrance. Projecting tables adorn the spaces between the pilasters (pillars enclosed in the walls).
Inside, the church listed in the inventory of houses paintings eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (including four paintings by Nicolas-René Jollain included the baptism of Christ, the resurrection of Lazarus, the Last Supper and the Transfiguration). Several statues, including a Sacred Heart nineteenth century Carrara marble are seeing, and the chapel of the Blue Penitents (Neo-Gothic), and organ Cavaillé 1836. Free visit. Information at +33 4 67 92 66 07.
