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Saint-Germain-des-Prés: oldest church in Paris

Last updated on April 22, 2016 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

The oldest church in Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Près is the heart of a vibrant neighbourhood in Paris. Although less dramatic than other religious sites from the outside, it has a lot to offer with a rich history.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés Oldest church in Paris

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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Saint-Germain-des-Prés

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Getting to the Saint-Germain-Des-Prés church

  • Metro station Saint-Germain-des-Prés - line 4
  • Metro station Mabillon - line 10
  • 20 min walk (1.5km) West from Notre Dame Cathedral

Visiting Saint-Germain-Des-Prés

  • ​Opening hours - Mon to FR: 8 AM to 8 PM. Sat & Sun: 8:30 AM to 8 PM.
  • Walk around in the busy neighboorhood and discover some long standing Brasseries such as Café Flore where famous French writers and philiophers used to meet.

History of Saint Germain des Prés

Orginally built under the Merovingians in 512 AD, the Abbey and church held important relics. In the Middle Ages it became very powerful but got destroyed several times by the Normans/Vikings. Only marble columns remain from the original building. They are kept at the Middle Ages Museum.

It was rebluild around the year 1000 and ​reconsecrated by Pope Alexander III in 1163.
But during the French Revolution, the abbey was used as a warehouse and destroyed by a gun powder explosion. The church remained.

In the nineteenth century, it was restored by the architect Victor Baltard and the painter Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin.

Below is a map of what was the church with its 2 side towers and the abbey:


Outside view of the oldest church in Paris

The current building is of Romanesque architecture with a sturdy bell tower (one of the oldest in France). 

You can walk all aorund the church. However views are limited.​

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: building
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: tower 1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: side 4
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: tower 2
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: tower 3
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: side 1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: side 2

General view inside Saint Germain des Prés

The inside of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church is a mix or Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

The many paintings and the gold color, give a different feeling than other churches in Paris.  ​I found it gloomier.

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: inside 1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: inside 4
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: inside 3
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: inside 5

Organ of Saint Germain des Prés

Like many churches in Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has an impressive organ. This one was build in 1679 and installed in this chruch in 1805-1810. However it was completely reconstructed several times after that. Concerts are regularly being held in this old church which has a great acoustic.

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: organ  1

If you like organs, check out the ones in Saint Eustache and Saint Sulpice.

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: organ  2

Stained glass

All around are some nice simple stained glasses which sometimes create interesting patterns on the floor thanks to the sunlight.

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: stained glass   1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: stained glass  2
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: stained glass  3

And if you love stained glasses, do not miss the whole second level room at Sainte Chapelle.

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: stained glass  4
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: stained glass  5
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: stained glass  6

Ornaments

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is also rich in old and more recent paintings and sculptures:

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: paintings 1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: paintings 2
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: sculpture 1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: ornaments 1
saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: ornaments 2

Sculpture or Saint-Germain:

saint-germain-des-prés church, paris: sculpture 2

Want to see MORE of PARIS?

Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online Paris Travel Guide.

  

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. s says

    November 12, 2016 at 8:06 PM

    Questions re Abby St Germain des Pres:

    Why is there Hebrew in Stained Glass, and meaning?>
    Why is there depiction of a lion with 7 branch menorah over it fighting/defeating another lion, at the top of a painted column, and its meaning?

    Reply
    • Claire Robinson says

      November 13, 2016 at 9:48 AM

      Hi
      I am just a traveler sharing her visit of the church.
      You would have to talk to a religious scholar.
      I did search in French hoping to find more information but could not find anything for you.
      Sorry

      Reply

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