Audio GuideChurch of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Site of Rene Descartes' tomb, this church is an 11th-century reconstruction of an earlier monastery.
Church
Paris, France
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of Paris's most historic religious landmarks, continues to captivate visitors with its storied past. Established in five hundred and fifty-eight by Childebert the First during the Merovingian era, it originally served as a monastery and swiftly gained prominence as a hub for learning and the arts. Over the years, it transformed into a site for royal burials and a centre renowned for illuminated manuscripts, leaving a significant imprint on France's cultural heritage.
The church itself is an impressive fusion of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. Its ancient bell tower, whose construction began in the eleventh century and was later adorned with neo-Gothic elements, bears witness to the building’s long historical journey. The structure also boasts some of the earliest flying buttresses in the area, representing a pivotal moment in the development of Gothic architecture.
Inside, the ambience is enriched by the murals of Hippolyte Flandrin, painted in the nineteenth century. These striking images portray scenes from the Old Testament, foreshadowing promises fulfilled in the New Testament and adding a profound spiritual dimension to the visitor's experience. The church has withstood turbulent times, including its use as a prison during the September Massacres of the French Revolution.
Situated in the lively Saint-Germain-des-Prés district on the Left Bank, the site also houses the tomb of René Descartes, bridging centuries of history and thought in one remarkable location.
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