Formerly known as Sainte-Catherine-des-Arts, this church built by the Jesuits at the end of the 17th century was disused during the French Revolution before being returned to worship in 1802. It then became a parish church under the name of Notre-Dame. In 1810 the relics of Saint John Eudes were deposited there and transferred elsewhere.
Although some religious ceremonies are still organized there by the parish of the Holy Trinity on which it depends, it is mainly used by the Theatre of Caen which organizes concerts there and hosts the Maîtrise de Caen. It is during the Master’s auditions, on Saturday noon, that the building usually closed to the public is accessible (ask the Theatre for programming).
Notre-Dame de la Gloriette houses a large and rich religious furnishings, most of which are classified as historical monuments. The City of Caen has been restoring this furniture for several years with the financial support of the State (DRAC of Normandy) and the Department of Calvados. You can admire the superb main altar with canopy from the Abbaye-aux-Dames exposed in choir, several altarpieces of the eighteenth century including "La Déploration" and "Le Martyre de Saint Laurent" recently restored by the workshop Serge Giordani (Rouen) for altars and Agnès Archimbaud (Villedieu-les-Poêles) for paintings. The altarpiece "Saint Charles de Borromée transported to Heaven" was restored this year also by the workshop Serge Giordani. He should find his painting at the beginning of 2024 (restoration in progress at Agnès Archimbaud).