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 is one of Paris’s oldest religious sites with a rich history that welcomes visitors today. Originally founded in five hundred fifty-eight by Childebert the First during the Merovingian era, this site began as a monastery and quickly became a center for scholarship and art. Over the centuries, it evolved into a place of royal burials and a hub for illuminated manuscripts, leaving its mark on French cultural heritage.
The church itself is a striking blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. Its ancient bell tower, begun in the eleventh century and later enhanced with a neo-Gothic touch, stands as a testament to the building’s long journey through time. The structure also features some of the earliest flying buttresses in the region, marking an important step in the evolution of Gothic construction.
Inside, the atmosphere is enriched by the murals of Hippolyte Flandrin, created in the nineteenth century. These vivid paintings depict scenes from the Old Testament that hint at promises fulfilled in the New Testament, adding a layer of spiritual depth to the experience. The church has also survived turbulent periods, including its use as a prison during the French Revolution’s September Massacres.
Today, located in the vibrant Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter on the Left Bank, the site also houses the tomb of René Descartes, connecting centuries of history and thought in one inspiring place.
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