Audio GuideSaint-Germain-l'Auxerrois

Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is a medieval Catholic church located in Paris's first arrondissement, just across from the Louvre. Its history begins as a simple oratory from the fifth century and evolves over time through successive enlargements from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. It draws its name from Saint Germanus of Auxerre, a medieval bishop and papal envoy who met Saint Genevieve, Paris's patron saint.

Claudia De la garanderie

The exterior showcases a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. Visitors will note the ornate western portal from the early thirteenth century, the richly decorated façade with statues of French saints, and a rare sculpted stone motif called the “Boule aux Rats,” one of only four in France. The church also features two bell towers: the original bell was historically linked to the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in fifteen seventy-two, while a later nineteenth-century tower was added during Paris's urban renewal led by Baron Haussmann.

Philippe JOUSSAIN

Inside, a long fifteenth-century central nave leads to a stunning choir with monumental carved wooden seats commissioned in sixteen eighty-four for King Louis the Fourteenth. An ambulatory guides visitors to several chapels. The Chapel of the Virgin combines medieval sculpture with nineteenth-century paintings, and the Chapel of Compassion features a Flemish carved retable depicting biblical scenes. The church also houses tombs of notable artists and architects connected to the Louvre.

Iulian Lupu

Over the centuries, Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois has served a broad community, originally for Louvre inhabitants and more recently by hosting services for Notre Dame de Paris after the fire. Its rich history, artistic treasures, and diverse architecture make it a captivating destination for anyone interested in Paris's cultural heritage.