Paris1972-Versailles2003

A while back I did a series on the churches of Paris, well received thank you. However, some were less than others and it is a pity. These monuments are the ones that keeps the wonderful architecture and history of a city today, and Paris is no difference. One of my most pleasurable moments is to visit them in my walks in my eternal Paris. Therefore, here is the revised updated links Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois!

This is a very well known church in Paris and sitting on prime location, even my Dad went to the clinic next door, Louvre as the museum. Yet is the one least seen well just passed by it. I will give you some general views on it and then a picture. The tower is not of the church but of the city hall of the 1éme arrondissement of Paris. The Churches of Paris hold the story of the city, its history, architecture, and wars, religion or not, they are a must to visit in Paris or any other city for that matters. As I like history and architecture, I have seen plenty even if the numbers are unbelievable, keep trying to see them all. It is very close to the nerve center of tourism Paris. This is the Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois.

The Church of Saint Germain L’Auxerrois is  located at place du Louvre next to the City/town hall of the 1éme district or arrondissement ncorresponding to the oldest place of worship on the right bank, known in the 6C, under the name of Saint-Germain-le-Rond. Rebuilt in the 12C and 13C, the Romanesque base of the steeple remains from the 13C.  Its overall harmony, which makes it one of the great Gothic monuments of the city of Paris. The Church is located on the southeast side of the Louvre Square, facing the colonnade of the Louvre. It is served by the Louvre-Rivoli and Pont Neuf metro stations line 1 and 7 respectively. In 1859, a new building in the north to house the City/town Hall, a true copy of the facade of St Germain Auxerrois, which gives a very peculiar symmetry , using a style inspired by the late Gothic and the French Renaissance.

 A bit of history I like

Existence of the Church is attested in the 7C, at the time Merovingian. It is the burial place of Saint Landry, Bishop of Paris, died around 655 or 656. Abbé Lebeuf believes that it is necessary to attribute the first origin to a chapel, the Chapel of St. Vincent, which was built shortly after the death of Saint Germain, Bishop of Auxerre.  On July 25, 754, during the reign of Pepin the Writ, the transfered of the body of Saint Germain from the small chapel was held in the chorus of the Great Church of St. Vincent, which has since been called Saint-Germain Church or Saint-Vincent and Saint-Germain presumably to distinguish the two churches consecrated to the same Saint, the last of which was named Saint-Germain-le-Rond.  The oldest part is the Romanesque tower, which dates from the 12C. It was surmounted by an arrow which was shot down around 1754 and replaced by the current balustrade. In the 13C, the western portal, the choir and the Chapel of the Virgin were built. The Church is largely rebuilt in the 15C in particular , the elevation of the porch.

The Saint Germain l’Auxerrois Church became the appointed Church of the Royal family at the time when the Valois moved to the Louvre in the 14C. Parish of the Kings of France because of its proximity to the palace of Louvre, the Church is one of the oldest in Paris.  It is one of the four Churches marking the cardinal points of Paris in 581.  It was the parish of François Boucher who lived in rue Saint-Thomas-du-Louvre. The two daughters of Boucher and his wife Marie-Jeanne Buzeau married, the painters Baudouin and Deshays. Danton, then a young lawyer, married Antoinette-Gabrielle Charpentier, the daughter of the owner of the Café du Parnassus nearby, on June 14, 1787.

At the beginning of the French revolution, after the forced return of the Royal family of Versailles to the Tuileries, the future king Louis XVII (assassinated by the French revolution) made his first communion here. Under the terror, Saint-Germain is emptied of its contents and converted into a fodder store, in printing, in the police station, in the factory of saltpeter. In 1795, Théophilanthropic cult was celebrated there. The church regains its Catholic vocation in 1802 after the Concordat. Under the First Empire, an old project of destruction of the church, in order to clear the colonnade of the Louvre by a large square in the middle of which the new bridge would succeed, is envisaged then abandoned at the beginning of the Restoration.

In the Second Empire, the Baron Haussmann once again refuses to destroy it while the Minister of State and the House of the emperor, suggests he develops a project to balance the whole thing; he asks to build a building inspired by the religious building to house the city/town hall of the 1éme arrondissement.  The designed reproduces almost identically the main façade of the Church (a porch surmounted by a rose window), which is similar to buildings of that time.  Between the two, it was built a flamboyant gothic campanile (or belfry) connected to both buildings by two doors of the same style, giving access to a square separating the two monuments. This architectural ensemble is built between 1858 and 1863. As we know it today.

Given the proximity of the Louvre where many artists reside after the departure of the court at Versailles, the church becomes the last abode of many of them and even bears the nickname “Saint-Denis of Genius and Talent”. The church offers on the  rue Arbre-Sec a curiosity; the carps of the Church Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois. It is a frieze, carved around the central chapel, representing sections of carp (heads, bodies, tails) alternating with rosettes. According to the historian of Paris, this decoration would correspond to a specific request of the rich textile Draper Tronson who, in 1505, had financed this chapel. It is not known whether the Draper Tronson had fishmongers in his family, or if they are simply sections of carp evoking his name. Source from brochures in the Church itself.

There are the six statues representing the characters of the old Testament and the Saints, as well as the 30 other characters. The Campanile (or belfry) was built between the two facades from 1858 to 1863. The use of the stone conceals an iron structure supporting all the bells of the now famous carillon. The silhouette and some details of the belfry are reminiscent of those of the Saint-Jacques tower. It was the parish of the kings of France due to its proximity to the Louvre. In the old regimes it was know as the Parish of the Artists! It was name after Bishop Saint Germain l’Auxerrois from the region of Auxerre in Burgundy today.

Inside you will see a monumental Flemish wooden altarpiece dating from the early 15C is located in the Chapel Notre-Dame de Compassion . It is a gift from the Comte de Montalivet, Minister of Louis-Philippe. The first register is divided into five scenes: one recognizes from left to right, the marriage of the Virgin, the Nativity of Christ, the Dream of Jess, the Adoration of the Magi and the presentation at the temple. The upper register represents more classically the ascent to Calvary, the Crucifixion and the descent of the Cross. These last three scenes can be compared to the corresponding scenes of the Passion Altarpiece exhibited at the Louvre museum.

The Chapel of the Virgin is located at the entrance of the church on the South side; It corresponds to four former 16C chapels gathered during the 19C. It presents the peculiarity, on the one hand to be isolated from the southern collateral by a woodwork, and on the other hand, unlike most of the other churches, not to be in the central axis of the church at the end of the apse. Its decoration dates back to the 19C, but there are several more anciently reported statues.

The Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Bonne-Garde contains a stained glass window representing Saint Louis ( king Louis IX, born in Poissy, Yvelines 78 on  25 April 1214, and died in Tunisia on 25 August 1270, during the Eighth Crusade, canonized in 1297) , making justice under the oak of Vincennes , and a statue of the Holy Virgin (1812), miraculously spared during the riots of 1831.

The Chapel of the Patron Saints had in the past many burials, including a vault for those who, having no particular burial, had obtained the right to be buried in the Church. During the redevelopment of the chapel in 1841, many coffins were found.

The Chapel of the tomb (also called Calvary) was founded in 1505 by Jehan Tronson, the wealthy drapery merchant who decorated the outside of the Church with a frieze of pieces of carp. The members of this family are then buried there. Because of its rich founder, it became the seat of the Brotherhood of Clothiers who held their corporate meetings there and celebrated masses there. During the sack of 1831, the burials of his vault were desecrated.

The Chapel of Good Death (formerly called the Blessed Sacrament) is completely remade in 1841. It houses stained glass windows dating from 1859; To the right a holy stone, barefoot, the head circled with a halo, crossing on his chest his two keys; In the center, in four compartments, Saint Joseph, the Virgin, Christ and Saint Michael.

The Chapelle Saint-Landry (formerly Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul), which refers to the former bishop of Paris, Saint Landry, is built between 1521 and 1522. It was ceded in 1624 to Étienne Aligre (market fame) and became the Chapel and burial place of his family. At the beginning of the 19C, king Louis XVIII deposited the heart of Joseph Hyacinthe François-de-Paule de Rigaud, Count of Vaudreuil , the great Falconer, whose body is in the family grave at Calvary Cemetery.

There is no trace of what was the great organs of the Royal Parish before the French revolution the present organ was transferred in July 1791 from the Sainte-Chapelle, where it had been built twenty years before by François-Henri Clicquot, in a buffet designed by Pierre-Noël Rousset. Last the Church has been painted by some notable painters over the years such as Claude Monet , Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois (1867) and Jean Béraud , Première communion, work not found or credit given.

There you go ,it is well tucked in by the hôtel de ville of Paris, on the parvis , but you do well in getting there and see, it is really nice this Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois.

Some webpages to help you plan your trip here and you must are

The Church of Saint Germain L’Auxerrois webpage https://saintgermainlauxerrois.fr/

The Catholic Churches of Paris on the Church Saint Germain L’Auxerrois: https://www.paris.catholique.fr/-saint-germain-l-auxerrois-.html

The Tourist office of Paris on the Church St Germain l’Auxerrois: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71883/Eglise-Saint-Germain-l-Auxerrois

A unique site in French on tombs and burials of France with details work and wonderful pictures on the Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois :http://www.tombes-sepultures.com/crbst_1305.html

In all a wonderful inventory of history and architecture of Paris. Enjoy the Church of Saint Germain L’Auxerrois, Paris at its best.

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all!!!

A while back I did a series on the churches of Paris, well received thank you. However, some were less than others and it is a pity. These monuments are the ones that keeps the wonderful architecture and history of a city today, and Paris is no difference. One of my most pleasurable moments is to visit them in my walks in my eternal Paris. Therefore, here is the revised updated links Church of Saint François-Xavier des Missions étrangères!

And I go on with showing the Churches of Paris on a single blog post. They deserve it I believe, they will show the history, architecture and more of what really is Paris.  I go around and come into these monuments just searching that inner soul of a city ,of any city, and Paris is no different. In the churches we see the real history, wonderful architecture, and the ups and downs of the people over the periods. This one was a surprise, just passing by, (they are so many ) and would like to tell you a bit about it.

I am talking about the Church Saint François Xavier, one of the least visited and one of the prettiest.  The church is located in the 7éme district or arrondissement of Paris, in place de President-Mithouard. It is the place of worship of the Catholic parish Saint-François-Xavier-des-Missions étrangères. A more popular direction would be by the  Boulevard des Invalides in front of Piazza Tardieu, and surrounded by the place of the President-Mithouard. The church was commissioned in 1861, it has a facade is inspired by the Italian Renaissance.  The Church of Saint François Xavier-des-Missions étrangères is the place of worship of the parish of Saint-François-Xavier-des-Missions-Étrangères since 1842; before the construction of the church, its place of worship was the current Chapelle de l’Épiphanie des Missions étrangères de Paris or the Chapel of the Epiphany of the Missions Paris foreign offices located at 128, rue du Bac.

The main façade has a central part flanked by two square towers. The church is framed by two squares: the square Pierre de Gaulle and the square abbot Esquerré. Thanks to its metal frame, the vault rests directly on the lateral walls, with no aisles or tipping arcs. The plan of the Church is in the Classical style with a central nave with lateral chapels, transept and deep apse. The axial Chapel features a statue of the Virgin.  Above the main gate is a remplage-framed rosette of niches containing statues. The ensemble is crowned by a triangular pediment whose bas-relief, appearing Saint Francis Xavier, baptizing the inhabitants of India and Japan. The nave of 5 bays is wide, with a non-protruding transept, but the 3-span choir is narrow and flanked by passages communicating with a large axis Chapel surrounded by an ambulatory.

Internal elevation punctuated by fluted and banded Corinthian columns. The vaults of the nave were decorated with paintings, the rest of the painted décor by several artists. The crossing of the transept is covered with a dome on a colorful pendant.  The metal frame allows the vault to rest directly on the side walls. A triumphal arch showcases the chorus and builds a perspective leading the gaze towards the statue of the Virgin in the axial Chapel.  A construction of the church began by 1861 and  was completed in 1873 (with the exception of its interior decoration), opened for worship in 1874 and consecrated on May 23, 1894.

During the French revolution, like many others churches were closed. The parishioners took the habit of meeting in the Chapel of the seminary of the foreign Missions, located on Rue du Bac. With the Concordat of 1802, the chapel became a parish. Under the Second Empire, the construction of a new church in the Invalides district was decided. The work began in 1861 until 1874. The church is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the patron of the Missions.

Among the 130 churches in Paris, Saint-François-Xavier is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. The splendor of his choir strikes the visitor as soon as he enters the nave. At the end of the 19C, it was also one of the richest: many donations have come to increase its heritage in works of great masters. One can admire in particular a masterpiece of the Tintoretto; The Last Supper. The artist seized the moment when Christ announces to the apostles that one of them will betray him. See also the crucifixion of Saint Peter by Luca Giordano.  The nave of the Church is separated from the aisles by a suite of fluted columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals enriched with cherubs and thus characterized as composite. These columns are connected by arches in a full hanger. The two levels of the elevation are separated by a protruding cornice that belts the entire building. The cradle Vault features decorative paintings by Alexandre Denuelle.  Under the Second Empire, the construction technique of the churches progressed: a metal frame was built. Masked by a stone covering. This practice has a triple advantage; the building is very strong, construction is fast and not expensive. St. Francis Xavier Church follows this new concept.

The Church of Saint-François-Xavier does not enjoy an important natural luminosity. It has a large number of windows, only two of which are with history on them. These two stained glass windows, dating from 1959, represent Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus. The two transept rosettes, which are identical, possess, for their own, petals decorated with liturgical symbols. The other stained glass windows are geometric compositions, often based on circles sustained colors. In fact, all the stained glass windows, by the intensity of their colors, obstruct the daylight. In grey weather or late afternoon, the church is bathed in a pronounced twilight that only increases until artificial light has taken over.

In the Chapel of the Sacred Heart lies the shrine/body of Sainte Madeleine-Sophie Barat. Born in  1779, she created the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1800 to develop the teaching of young girls. The shrine is in the Chapel of St. Joseph. The Society was transferred to this church in 2009,on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The direction of the congregation had indeed decided to install the shrine in this church which is next to the buildings where Madeleine-Sophie lived, such as the seat of the congregation ; today the Rodin museum, and the educational establishment for young girls, today lycée Victor-Duruy (high school).

The Choir of the Church of  Saint-François-Xavier is one of the most beautiful in Paris. Above the altar, in the spandrels, Moses holding the Tables of the law and, on the left, his brother Aaron holding his miraculous wand . Finally, above, in front of a Christ of Byzantine inspiration, Saint Francis Xavier presenting to Jesus Christ the peoples he has converted.  The statue of St. Francis Xavier, the sculptor (unknown) represented the Saint brandishing the Cross with a raging and determined gesture. His mouth is open as if he needed to catch his breath with his Cry of Faith. This cry is accentuated by the left hand which grasps the reverse of the garment as if to put the heart to bare and show the violence of his faith.

The Church Saint François Xavier contains many beautiful works of art,not to be photograh , including: The Last Supper, by Le Tintoret ; The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Geneviève,by Lubin Baugin , La Communion, by Henry Lerolle , Christ in the shroud, by Alfred-Charles Lenoir , and Le Miracle of Saint Francis Xavier, by Benedetto Gennari the Younger. The organs were built in 1878, revised by Cavaillé-Coll in 1890, then by the Ephrem and Gonzalez builders in 1923. Bernard Dargassies completely restored them in 1993. The restored organs were inaugurated on April 10 1996.

Another wonderful find in Paris, and again seldom visited but should be a must, well maybe a route of the Churches of Paris should be an inspiration by the Tourist Board of Paris! I know need to be back here myself. It is served by metro line 13 at Saint-François-Xavier station and by lines 82 (my usual one lately) and 87 of RATP bus network.

Some webpages to help you plan your trip here are:

The parish Church Saint François Xavier : https://www.sfx-paris.fr/

The Catholic Churches of Paris on the Church Saint François Xavier: https://www.paris.catholique.fr/-saint-francois-xavier-.html

Hope you enjoy and one mark to be back for more. The Church Saint François Xavier des Missions étrangères is worth the detour, well worth it. And remember, happy travels, good health ,and many cheers to all!!!