Église Saint-Germain des Prés

Église Saint-Germain des Prés

One of the oldest churches in Paris,

 and it has its own Métro stop.

I have featured this church many times before with historical details, 

but you might like to know that this is a Val d'Osne signpost (totem) 

and it was created in the 1920s with its luminous opaline globe to better

light the Métro entrances.  There are a few that remain. 

 How many have you seen?

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Germain des Prés

3, place Saint-Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

Église Saint Germain des Prés

Église Saint Germain des Prés

The 1,000 year old tower 

reigns over the remainder of the church.

The recent renovations make the tower appear 

almost white against the bright blue skies.

bon dimanche

Église Saint Germain des Prés

3, place Saint Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

Le Violoniste

The Violinist

The sounds coming from his violin were clear and mesmerizing.  Asking permission for the photo, he nodded in return.  Clicking twice, I thanked him for his music, dropped a tip, and walked on my way as he gave me the hint of a smile.

I hope that all who passed this corner enjoyed a pleasant break from the noise of the street, replaced by the strains of Bach from this single violinist.

Métro St. Germain des Prés

in front of Église Saint Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

Église Saint Germain des Prés

 

 

 

 

Église Saint Germain des Prés

 

 

This 1,000 year old tower stands tall in the St Germain area.  The renovations inside and out are heartening with many visitors taking notice.

 

 

The first time I saw this church I thought it dark and depressing.  My recent visits reflect the interest of the congregation and the neighborhood.

 

 

 

bon dimanche

Église Saint Germain des Prés

3, place Saint Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

 

 



Église Saint Germain des Prés en novembre

Église Saint Germain des Prés

The Porch Tower

This 6th century church has seen more than its share of unrest, wars, and destruction.  It was originally the keystone of an important abbey complex founded by King Childebert in the 540s.  He created the Abbaye Saint-Croix-Saint-Vincent (as it was called then) to house two important relics he had brought back from an expedition in Spain.  By the mid-eighth century the abbey had taken on the local saint's name (Germain), with the suffix "des prés" indicating that it was out in the meadows beyond the city limits.  

Although nothing remains of the early 6th century church, this heavily-buttressed porch-tower was built around 1000.  The centuries of architecture and stories could keep a researcher busy for years.

bon dimanche

Église Saint Germain des Prés

3, place Saint Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

Église Saint Germain des Prés

Reportedly the oldest church in Paris (founded in 542), the courtyard of Église Saint Germain des Prés on the north side displays some of the recovered architecture from this church which was destroyed many times over the centuries. In the foreground on the right is a Picasso sculpture of Dora Maar in memory of Guillame Apollinaire, the French poet, art critic, and playwright.

This quiet little courtyard, Square Laurent Prache, is just a small jump from Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. As we walked past these benches several times a day en juin, we found the square a quiet place of contemplation and free of graffiti.