Paris1972-Versailles2003

Once looking into my pictures vault found me nice ones in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, I have come here many years ago on a business trip and then on a solo run both times by train (see post). Its another jewel of my belle France even if rare can’t find me pictures of the outside must have been in a hurry….in my walking beats.  Therefore, let me tell you my take on the Church Saint Vincent-de-Paul of Marseille !! Hope you enjoy it as I.

The old city by the harbor bringing in the civilizations of all Europe and beyond, a melting pot of old nations and new ones. This is Marseille in the department no,13 of the  Bouches-du-Rhône in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur of my belle France. It has 57 km of coast including 24 km of rocky inlets or calanques, that are just magnificent. It is from Rouget de Lisle, in 1792, created at Strasbourg an hymn called the song of war of the army of the Rhine. This hymn was edited and comes to Marseille that had welcome the French revolution with enthusiast. This ,then becomes the La Marseillaise, today the French National Anthem.

The Church of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul is located in the Thiers district, at the top of the Canebière, which the people of Marseille call the Church of the Reformed. Despite its dedication to Saint Vincent de Paul, the church owes its common name to the site of a former chapel of the Reformed Augustinians dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Duke of Guise on June 20, 1611. It was destroyed shortly after the Concordat. The new church was designed in the 13C Gothic style: the foundation stone was laid on April 22, 1855. The façade, with its three portals, rises on a flight of 25 steps.

The neo-Gothic style Church of Saint Vincent de Paul, oriented from east (choir) to west (facade), with an interior length of 61 meters and an interior width of 28 meters at the transept, is built according to a traditional basilica plan. The two spires of the church rise to 76 meters, the vault of the great nave to more than 23 meters under keystone (16.60 meters for the vaults of the side aisles). It consists of a sanctuary, a choir flanked by four chapels, a transept with its crossing and three naves: the side aisles are terminated by square apses while the apse of the great nave is cut with seven sides. A crypt opens under the nave. The oak doors are decorated with bronze panels and remarkable stained glass windows. The high altar placed in the second half of the 20C in the center of the choir was made by reusing the fence used as a communion bench.

In 1888, the Church Saint Vincent-de-Paul was equipped with a symphonic-type Grand Organ. In 1947, a new instrument with neo-classical aesthetics and electro-pneumatic transmission was built by the firm Michel-Merklin-&-Kuhn and placed in a side chapel against the choir. From 2002, it was decided to restore both the 1888 organ (still silent) and the 1947 organ.

The Marseille tourist office on the church: https://www.marseilletourisme.fr/fr/que-voir/patrimoine-culture/eglises/eglise-reformes/

The city of Marseille on its heritage (not the church):  https://www.marseille.fr/culture/patrimoine-culturel

The Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur (PACA) tourist office on Marseille: https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en/provence/get-inspired/cities-and-villages/marseille-sea-football-culture-and-much-more/

There you go folks, small one but believe enough to tell you Marseille should be in your travel plans; it’s a vibrant city, and if stayed around the Vieux Port is a magical experience. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Church Saint Vincent-de-Paul of Marseille !! as I

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