Sunday, November 20, 2011

Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés


This ancient church built in the 12th Century boasts a romanesque tower and other treasures within.  Parts of the church remain from the 6th century beginnings.  It is undergoing a much-needed restoration to bring it back to its former glory.
 
Did you know that the heart of Descartes is interred here? 
The rest of him is at the Pantheon. 

The fantastic acoustics enhance performances of Gregorian chants,
 and the medieval surroundings make a haunting backdrop.

bon dimanche


Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés
3, place Saint-Germain-des-Prés
75006 Paris
 
at

20 comments:

  1. MalyssNovember 20, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    I love gregorian chants! to hear them in such a place must be magic!
    Have a nice sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoeNovember 20, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Haunting is indeed a very apt word to describe this photo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. this is BelgiumNovember 20, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    I have been by there a million times not realizing that part of Descartes, and his most important part at that, is there !! I will look at it differently from now on : Je pense, donc je suis !
    bon dimanche !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cezar and LéiaNovember 20, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    Oh gosh... Heart buried separate from body? Hmmmmmm... I hope to be in one piece when my time comes...
    The two figures of the statue seem to be looking so seriously at something, I wonder what it is.
    Nice shot.
    God bless you!
    Cezar

    ReplyDelete
  5. VirginiaNovember 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    I watched a young woman painstakingly cleaning a wall there once. I'm fascinated that in the 6th century they were able to build these huge churches with such fine acoustics!
    V

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousNovember 20, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    I love gregorian chants and this photo. It is so beautiful!

    Interesting info on the heart of Descartes. I wonder why they buried it separate from the rest of his body?

    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  7. French Girl in SeattleNovember 20, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I believe this is the oldest church in Paris... and it shows. Good news about the renovation. Lovely shot, Genie. Hope you made the time for un cafe chez Flore while you were there (wearing black only and sunglasses, of course!) -- Veronique

    ReplyDelete
  8. Forest Dream WeaverNovember 20, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Beautiful photo Genie!
    Bon dimanche,
    Ruby

    ReplyDelete
  9. StarmanNovember 20, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Bon dimanche.

    ReplyDelete
  10. HarrietNovember 20, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    I read somewhere that the cloak of Pascal with his famous note pinned inside is also at this church, but I cannot remember my source. I once asked at the church about this and got nowhere -- perhaps they didn't understand my French.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sylvia KNovember 20, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    Superb capture and thank you, as always, for the wonderful information you include!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  12. MNovember 20, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Would love to listen to Gregorain chants in that setting! What a historical delight!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rob-bearNovember 20, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    Gregorian chants, sixth century church.

    That's a definition of awesome!

    Bon dimanche, Genie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. winterludesNovember 20, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    i didn't know descartes had a heart (i'm supposed to write LOL, so do i). this church is one of my favorite. hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  15. RandyNovember 20, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    What a beautiful photograph.

    ReplyDelete
  16. PalomaseaNovember 21, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    Hauntingly beautiful indeed. And with Gregorian chants? wow..

    A lovely week to you, dear Genie.
    Bises,
    - Irina

    ReplyDelete
  17. AlexaNovember 21, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    What a beautiful (and evocative) shot, Genie! (This was also my parish church for a while, so thanks for this one.)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Elizabeth at Eiffel TellsNovember 21, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Great shot - as usual!
    I hope you have a wonderful week Genie.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Joop ZandNovember 22, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Wonderful shot....very well done.

    greetings, Joop

    ReplyDelete
  20. LouiseNovember 23, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Oh I'm so glad to hear that it is being restored. I visited last year, and she really was looking dilapidated. I don't think I knew that about Descartes- poor fellow!

    ReplyDelete

Merci for your comments!