Saint-Etienne-du-Mont, Paris

4 more images

These two attractions are located next to each other and are a short walk south of Notre Dame.
Saint Etienne du Mont is a 16th century church and the Panthéon was also originally built as a church. OK, so you've already seen enough churches in Paris but I promise you this will be the last and the interior of Saint Etienne du Mont is really spectacular.
Another thing these two structures have in common is that they both claim crpyts containing famous French people. Blaise Pascal and Jean Racine are buried somewhere in Saint Etienne du Mont and the Panthéon has a host of historical heros including Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, and Voltaire.
On August 23, 1997 Pope John Paul II performed a mass at the church of St. Etienne du Mont while in Paris for World Youth Day celebrations. A small sign near the front of the church commemorates his visit.

2 more images

St-Etienne-du-Mont contains the shrine of St. Genevieve's remains, the patron saint of Paris.

Genevieve protected Paris from the barbarians and was buried in an early church located on this area in 512, place which soon after her death became an important pilgrimage destination for Christians.

The current reliquary contains only a few fingers and bones, due to the fact that during the French Revolution, the remains of the Saint were burned.

4 more images

St-Etienne-du-Mont's interior is 68 meters long and is made up by a five-bay nave with very high sides and lateral chapels.

Its remarkable masterpiece is the rood screen, the only one left in Paris, built in 1545, probably by Pierre Beaucorps, which divides also the two main construction periods: the Gothic chancel and the Renaissance nave.

Another treasure is a wood pulpit presenting Samson holding a bone in one hand, with a lion at his feet.

Beautiful stained glasses can be found in the chapel on the right side of the church.

3 more images

Although this beautiful church was built in the 16C, its structure is mainly Gothic.

Building began in 1492 and, following numerous delays, was finally finished in 1626.

The beautiful facade is a work of Claude Guerin and is flanked by a bell tower.

The decoration of the facade was completely destroyed during the French Revolution, but was reconstructed in 1861.

I really recommend you to spend a couple of minutes admiring the wonderful facade of the church.
Is really worth!

Just north east of the Pantheon you see a small church in comparision with its neigbour the Pantheon.

The church has a mixture of architecturial styles. The tower and choir are neogothic and the facade, unique by its three frontons, is built in renaissance-style.

The building of this church started allready in the 15th century, but is first completed in 1626. The philosopher-scientist Pascal and the writer Racine are buried in this church.

This church right behind the Pantheon has an awesome interior. Outside and inside, its Renaissance architecture doesn't feel so Parisian. A true must-see.