Paris, France
Welcome to Église Saint-Merri in Paris, a must-see landmark rich with history and art. What began as a small chapel where Saint Médéric, a seventh-century abbot from Autun, was first honored has grown into an impressive church. Saint Médéric’s long journey and later recognition as the patron saint of the Right Bank give the site its special meaning.
Constructed during a time when Renaissance ideas were mixing with older styles, the building started around the early sixteenth century under King François I and was completed by the mid-seventeenth century. Its design combines late Gothic, known as Flamboyant, with touches of Renaissance and classical elements added later. Outside, visitors encounter a dramatic west portal adorned with mythological figures, decorative pinnacles, and playful gargoyles. On the south side, a bell tower houses one of Paris’s oldest bells, dating back to the fourteenth century.
Inside, light fills the space through high windows that brighten the richly decorated chapels. The choir, occupying much of the interior, features a striking marble altar topped with a gilded sculptural Glory. Art lovers will enjoy the stained glass, ornate pulpits, sculptures, and paintings by noted artists such as Charles Coypel, Noël Coypel, Simon Vouet, and Théodore Chassériau.
Despite damage during the French Revolution and a period as a gunpowder storage and commerce temple, the church was lovingly restored and continues today as both a parish and a vibrant cultural venue hosting concerts and community events.
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