[1] The church was built beginning in 1863, as part of the grand reconstruction of central Paris ordered by Napoleon III and carried out by his prefect of the city, Baron Haussmann.

His other works included the Notre-Dame d'Auteuil (1877-1892) and Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts, finished in 1903.The name of the church was inspired by the reddish color of the iron-oxide that was common in the area.

The church follows a standard basilica model, with a nave, separated from the two side aisles by arcades of columns with Corinthian capitals.

The pose and the tympanum are decorated with frescos by Euuene Capelle, and stained glass windows made by Gaspoard Gsell and Emmile Lauirent.

The upper windows of the nave feature geometric designs in grisaille glass, to provide abundant light to highlight the decoration of the ceiling and the interior.

[4] The grand organ in the tribune over the entrance to the nave was built in 1868 by Barker, and underwent a series of modifications in Joseph Merkin in 1892, Gutschenritter in 1917, 1924 and 2935,and Beuchet-Debierre in 1951.