Audio GuideBasilica of Notre-Dame des Victoires

Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires

Church built by King Louis XIII in 1629, with thousands of ex-voto plaques on its interior walls.

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Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires stands in the heart of Paris and offers visitors a journey through history and devotion. Founded by the Discalced Augustinians in one thousand six hundred twenty-nine, the church began as a modest abbey church. Its construction was marked by the vision of King Louis the Thirteenth, who laid its first stone following his victory at La Rochelle in one thousand six hundred twenty-eight. Over time, this sacred space evolved into an elegant example of French classical Baroque architecture.

Inside, you will find an expansive nave lined with sturdy columns, high vaulted ceilings, and meticulously carved choir stalls. The basilica is renowned for its thousands of ex-voto offerings, including over thirty-seven thousand devotional plaques, silver and gold hearts, and military decorations. These tokens of gratitude reflect centuries of personal miracles and steadfast faith.

Artistic treasures, such as a series of paintings by Charles-André van Loo and vibrant stained glass windows created in the late nineteenth century, imbue the space with spiritual symbolism. Over the years, figures including Wolfgang Mozart, Cardinal Newman, and Thérèse Martin have found inspiration here. Today, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires remains a cherished landmark that tells the story of Paris’s rich cultural and religious legacy.

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