Sunday, February 27, 2011

Radiant beams -- Église Saint-Merri



Église Saint-Merri is dedicated to an 8th Century abbot, named Medericus but called Merry. This gothic church is located near Centre Pompidou with its treasures was built in the 1500s. It is home to the Academie vocale de Paris, which performs concerts in the church every saturday throughout the year. Perhaps these are the singers featured by Virginia of Paris Through My Lens. I would have loved to have seen them that day.


Église Saint-Merri
76, rue de la Verrerie

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is definitely a must in Paris - thank you.
I will never forget the Sacre couer Bascillica on Christmas day - the Nuns sounded like Angels - heaven.

Anonymous said...

Je ne connais pas cette église qui semble magnifique.
Je te souhaite de pouvoir assister à un concert. Pour Noël, peut-être?
Bon dimanche, Genie!

cocoa and coconut said...

Bonjour Genie,
Aujourd'hui je veux te écrire en français. Alors, je trouve que cette église est magnifique!
Bisous,
Brittany.

Anonymous said...

I love your photo so much♥

weekend et coup de brosse said...

Vos photos Genie sont toujours originales et bien choisies, j'aime vos derniers billet! superbe

Kate said...

Church interiors are always so impressive! Imagine attending a service in a church that is this old!

martinealison said...

Très belle église qui doit avoir une qualité sonore particulièrement agréable comme dans la plupart de ces édifices.
Je te fais de gros bisous et te souhaite un agréable fin de weekend.

Miss Sadie said...

Yet another beautiful picture of a church interior. I suspect the acoustics are excellent! A beautiful place to listen to a choir.

Forest Dream Weaver said...

So many beautiful churches in Paris,so much marble and incredible craftsmanship.
Lovely light!
Enjoy your day Genie,
Rx

Virginia said...

Beautiful shot Genie. I love this church. I don't know why I hadn't visited it before this past January. You are probably right about the group that was practicing in my photo. Thanks for the link!
V

Anonymous said...

The concerts all throughout the churches of Paris are THE thing to do. There's always something beautiful being played or sung.

Alexa said...

I believe they have concerts on Sunday afternoon too. Can't think of anything I'd rather do today than enjoy some beautiful choral music in this spectacular church!

Randy said...

Today I would just like to just sit hiding from the world and take in all that beauty.

Malyss said...

The voices must become gorgeous in such a place!Even for the no-believer, this place must move the soul.

Starman said...

Those windows rival Sainte-Chapelle.

Cezar and Léia said...

I've enlarged the picture and it's really impressive, perfect shot from this beautiful church.The altar is magnificent and I'm also enchanted by the organ.
The golden light in the altar makes everything very special.
The marbler colour is also wonderful.
hugs and a nice week,
Léia

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Suzi -- That must have been an incredible Christmas celebration

Richard -- Merci... C'est possible l'année prochaine (2011). Tu dois voir cette église avec quelques autres... J'ai une liste (bucket list en englais)

Brittany -- Oui, c'est vrai mais c'est difficile de maintenir le bâtiment avec des siècles d'utilisation -- Bonne journée, mon amie!

Mary -- Merci, and thank you for your comment... Please visit again!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

weekend et coup de brosse -- Merci, mon amie...

Kate -- I have attended a few church services in Paris and the combination of the music reverberating in the immense space along with the view is quite an experience!

martine -- Oui, les sons sont étonnants... merci, et je te souhaite la même chose

Miss Sadie -- I plan to hear that choir on my next visit... merci!

Forest Dream Weaver -- I was fascinated with the colors found in the marble.. this was almost ruby (wink)

Virginia -- I think that Peter had been keeping this one to himself (jk)... It is lovely

Aesthetic Alterations (AA from now on) -- yes, and I need to get a list to work from before my next visit... Merci!

Alexa -- The churches are cool in the summer and warm when the winter winds are blowing outside... Respite from the weather while listening to music with an amazing view is just about perfect!

Randy -- I think that we would all like to be sitting there absorbing it all... Have a great week ahead

Malyss -- I plan to hear those choir voices on my next visit... definitely!

Starman -- You know, I had not thought about that but they might... They are so high up that you cannot see them as well

Léia -- Merci... I do know that the organ is spectacular having been renovated by Cliquot (famous organ builder) about 200 year ago - hah! The nave of the church is spectacular with the light... So glad that you liked this one. Have a wonderful week ahead!

Annie Bear said...

What a beautiful cathedral! I didn't know about this one! Your picture is so lovely. I can see that I really missed a good one. One of the things my husband and I love to do in Paris is visit a lot of the churches. The marble and stained glass are so pretty.

Jack said...

The cathedral is wonderful. Plus music? OK, I'm there!

Re your comment on my blog today: No, there are absolutely no signs of spring yet in Hartford. The snow is deep and the ground hasn't been seen since December. But, the snow now is dirty and unlovely. That photo was taken when the snow was fresher.

Have a great week, my friend.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Jack -- Glad you liked the church... I rather imagined that the snow was still with you... Have a great week ahead!

PeterParis said...

I know the church and about the Academie vocale..., but never managed to go (or remember to go) to listen to them. Thanks for this new reminder!! Maybe next Saturday! :-)

cieldequimper said...

Saint Merri is gorgeous. So is this perfect shot with the foreground. I've got St Gervais today on my other blog!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Peter -- You will have to give us a report... I am sure it will be with incredible researched detail... love it!

Ciel -- "other" blog... I must go and check... merci, mon amie!

Halcyon said...

I have never been to this church, but it's lovely! So full of light. :D

TheChieftess said...

Love the sonburst effect of the gold at the altar...with the darker ambient light in the church...nicely done Genie!!!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Halcyon -- You should put this one on your bucket list for the next time... merci

Chieftess -- I do have a better shot of the sunburst which I will show another time... very interesting church... Merci!

Rob said...

Love the inside of these Cathedrals, they are quite photogenic.