| St-Germain des Pres tips and photos posted by real travelers and Paris locals.
Metro – St-Germain des Pres – line 4
• 76 Photos
• 33 Reviews
See all Paris Things To Do |
 | Paris St-Germain des Pres Reviews | 1 - 10 of 33 |  |
The history of Saint-Germain-des-Pres goes back to 543 AD, when King Childebert decided to build a new basilica. The building has of course expanded and changed throughout the years, but it has always kept its religious purpose. It was badly damaged during the Revolution and left in such a state of disrepair that the authorities seriously considered taking it down. The church was saved by a group of Parisians led by none other than Victor Hugo, who once lived nearby at no. 30 rue du Dragon. Intensive restoration work ensued and, in my opinion, it is now one of the nicest churches in Paris!
Saint-Germain-des-Pres is open to visitors every day of the week (no admission fees). Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Paris?
Read reviews about Paris Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Just walking through the streets and neighborhoods of Paris is a joy. This photo shows a shop and two very high wooden doors to the left that open to a walkway and courtyard where there may be homes that are hidden away from the street. Leave a Comment Directions: Left Bank
|
Saint-Germain certainly is another beautiful place to take a walk and enjoy the Parisian atmosphere.
Located on the left bank and dominated by the beautiful church with the same name, Saint-Germain has narrow streets with small old shops, beautiful buildings and numerous coffee shops.
|
The beautiful church of Saint-Germain-des-Pres is the oldest in Paris.
Today, from the old Romanesque church from 11 C with three tall bell towers, only one remained.
The interior of the church is not as big as we would expect, due to the fact that the church was intended to be monastery chapel and not parish church.
Among the things we can admire inside are: St Symphorian's Chapel with the tomb of St Germanus, the tomb of John Casimir, King of Poland and Mausoleum of James Douglas. Directions: M: Saint-Germain-des-Pres (line 4)
|
It's said in the guidebook that it's the oldest church in the city. The first construction here was in the beginning of XI AD. Many part of the church were built in XI-XII centuries and were renovated in XVII-XVIII centuries. Leave a Comment Directions: It's situated not far from the crossing of Rue St Jaques and Boulevarde St Germen (cross the river from Notre-Dame de Paris and go ahead).
|
Visiting Paris?
Read reviews about Paris Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés church is the oldest roman sanctuary in Paris. It housed a renowned Benedictine abbey in the 8th century where the foundations of archaelogy and palaeofraphy were laid. Here, in this church lies René Descartes, the father of modern philosophy (his skull, by the way, is kept at the Musée de l'Homme... no comments).
Besides the church, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district consists of beautiful cafés, great little shops and a great atmosphere, where you could spend a whole afternoon walking or enjoying the view at a local café. Leave a Comment
|
The church is nice, but what is most special is the chapel to the right as you enter. It is not always open -- I think Tuesday and Thursday afternoons it is staffed by volunteers who will be happy to explain how what you see includes the remains of several centuries of building. The older woman who was my guide only spoke French, but was very patient with me as I worked to understand:)
.
Just outside the church you will find a small square, a nice open respite in a busy area. Leave a Comment
|
Be sure to go around the side of St-Germain des Près to the small garden, but before you get there be sure to look up and notice the building itself. It has suffered much since its orgins in the 6th century. Only the great tower and the choir of the 12th century remain from earlier times. Leave a Comment
|
St. Germain des Pres is reported to be the oldest church in Paris. During much of its existence there was also a large Benedictine abbey complex, of which only fragments remain.
.
The picture on the left is the church. In the picture of the shop on the right you can see some old stones -- these are part of the old abbey that have been incorporated into the shop's design.
.
The website documents a massacre of prisoners that took place at the abbey during the French Revolution. Leave a Comment Directions: 6th arrondissement very near the St. Germain metro stop and [obviously] on blvd. St. Germain:)Website: 2nd 8th and 9th
|
Saint-Germen-de-Pres stands on that place where in 543 a basil for storage of a particle of the Cross was constructed. In the VIII century the Benedict abbey was established there which existed more than 1000 years. Within the revolution the building seriasly suffered from fires. Then the building undergone many reconstruction as a result of which in the present church different architectural styles mixed up. The facade of the church kept the rests of a portal of the XII century. Rene Descartes - the great mathematician and the Polish king Jan Kazimir were buried in the church. Jan Kazimir in 1668 abdicated and became the abbey of Saint-Germen.
|
More Paris Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 2,002 - Photos: 1,618 | Things To Do
Tips: 10,057 - Photos: 17,114 | Nightlife
Tips: 867 - Photos: 786 | Transportation
Tips: 1,616 - Photos: 1,359 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,580 - Photos: 2,414 | Shopping
Tips: 823 - Photos: 933 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,792 - Photos: 2,683 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 501 - Photos: 324 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 790 - Photos: 403 | Local Customs
Tips: 825 - Photos: 719 | Packing Lists
Tips: 273 - Photos: 157 | Sports Travel
Tips: 110 - Photos: 130 | General Tips
Tips: 2,440 - Photos: 2,407 | Flights
Tips: 105 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
- Citadines Haussmann Prestige
129-131 Boulevard Haussmann (formerly Citadines), Paris - Citadines Apart'hotel Bastille Marais
37, boulevard Richard Lenoir 11th Arr., Paris - Eden Magenta
52 bis rue des Vinaigriers (formerly Eden Magenta), Paris - Aviatic
10, rue Brezin 14 Arr., Paris - Hotel De L Ocean
7 Rue Mayran 9th Arr., Paris - Ibis Compiegne
18, rue Edouard Branly ZAC de Mercières, Paris - Royal Opera Mansart
1 Rue Mansart, Paris - Libertel Bellechasse Paris Grande Tradition
8 rue de Bellechasse 7th Arr., Paris - Abotel Centre Ville Matignon
3, rue de Ponthieu, Paris - Hôtel Albouy**
4 rue Lucien Sampaix 10th Arr., Paris - Emeraude Helios Opera
75 Rue De La Victoire, Paris - Hotel De La Motte Picquet
30, avenue de La Motte Picquet 7th Arr., Paris - Le Manoir De Gressy
Chemin des Carrosses, Paris - Amadeus Mon Reve
76, avenue Felix Faure, Paris - Tulip Inn Little Palace
4 rue Salomon de Caus, Paris
|
on April 30, 2007
on November 10, 2004
on February 24, 2006
on February 8, 2005
on February 17, 2005
on March 4, 2005
on July 13, 2006
