Audio GuideSainte-Clotilde, Paris

Basilique Sainte-Clotilde stands proudly in the seventh arrondissement of Paris on rue Las Cases. Built between eighteen forty-six and eighteen fifty-seven, it became the city’s first neo-Gothic church, a project begun by Franz Christian Gau and later brought to completion by Théodore Ballu. Its extended façade and twin towers, each reaching heights of around sixty meters, create a small cathedral feel that draws visitors into a world of history and art.

M. Addams

The church takes its name in honor of Saint Clotilde, wife of King Clovis, whose influence played a key role in the king’s conversion to Christianity nearly fifteen hundred years ago. Its richly decorated west façade features three portals, pointed arches, and statues that honor both Saint Clotilde and Saint Valère.

Nicolas Protin

Inside, natural light streams through high stained glass windows, revealing detailed sculptures, intricate wood carvings, and frescoes that tell biblical stories, including the baptism of Clovis and scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Music lovers also appreciate the beautiful Cavaillé-Coll organ, installed in eighteen fifty-nine and later modernized. This great instrument has been played by celebrated organists such as César Franck.

Tof

The basilica has hosted memorable cultural events, from high-profile weddings to significant funerals, marking its importance in Paris’s rich religious and cultural heritage.

barcelo gerald