Evry Cathedral

Description

Look, I gotta tell ya – the Evry Cathedral is unlike any church you’ve probably seen before. As someone who’s visited dozens of European cathedrals, this one stopped me in my tracks. Built in the 1990s, it’s a total departure from those Gothic spires and flying buttresses you might expect. Instead, you’re looking at this incredible cylinder of red brick that seems to rise right outta the ground like some kind of modern art sculpture. And those trees growing on the roof? Yeah, that’s intentional – pretty wild, right?

Key Features

• That jaw-dropping cylindrical design that stands 34 meters high
• A spectacular glass-roofed interior that floods the space with natural light
• Living trees planted on the rooftop (seriously cool eco-design from way before it was trendy)
• A mesmerizing spiral pattern created by thousands of red bricks
• Modernist stained glass windows that create amazing light patterns
• A peaceful meditation garden surrounding the cathedral
• Super interesting contemporary religious artwork inside
• An innovative mix of concrete and brick construction techniques

Best Time to Visit

From my experience, late morning to early afternoon is when this place really shines – literally! That’s when the sunlight streams through those modern stained glass windows just perfectly. I’d say aim for around 11 AM if you can. Weekdays tend to be quieter, which gives you more space to really take in the architecture without crowds. And y’know what? Spring and fall are particularly gorgeous times to visit, when those rooftop trees are either blooming or showing their autumn colors.

How to Get There

Getting to Evry Cathedral is actually pretty straightforward if you’re coming from Paris. Hop on the RER D line (the green one) and ride it to the Evry-Courcouronnes station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk – you really can’t miss that distinctive circular shape rising above the surrounding buildings. If you’re driving, there’s decent parking nearby, and trust me, you’ll spot the cathedral from a distance – it’s kinda hard to miss a giant brick cylinder with trees on top!

Tips for Visiting

Ok, here’s the inside scoop from someone who’s been there a few times: Bring your camera, but remember this is still an active place of worship – be respectful when taking photos. The lighting inside can be tricky to capture, so maybe brush up on your low-light photography skills beforehand.

Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll want to walk around the whole building to see how the light plays on those brick patterns throughout the day. The meditation garden is a hidden gem that most tourists rush past – take your time there.

And here’s something most guidebooks won’t tell you: the acoustics inside are incredible! If you’re lucky enough to visit when there’s a service with music, it’s worth sticking around for a few minutes just to experience it.

I always tell folks to set aside at least an hour to really appreciate this place properly. And don’t forget to look up when you’re inside – the way the roof has been designed with that glass center is pretty mind-blowing.

Oh, and one last thing – while the cathedral is wheelchair accessible (thank goodness!), some of the best viewing angles require climbing a few steps. But honestly, even from ground level, this architectural marvel is absolutely worth experiencing.

Location

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