How about a journey back in time right here in the Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul? This is the 37th administrative district of Paris. It resides in the 10th arrondissement. The Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul is named in honor of Vincent de Paul. He installed the mother house of his order here. It was named the Congregation of the Mission.
The Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord call this quarter home. You will also find the Hôpitaux Lariboisière and Fernand-Widal here. But the Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul is a highlight. It opened in 1844. The Théâtre des Bouffes-du-Nord also resides here.
The Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul’s borders are clear. To the west is Rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière. The north is defined by Boulevards de la Chapelle and de la Villette. To the east, you’ll find Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin. The southern boundary is Rue de Chabrol.
Until the Revolution, this area was known as Nouvelle-France. It housed the Saint-Lazare enclosure. A leprosarium existed here in the ninth century. By the 16th century, Saint Vincent de Paul established his congregation’s headquarters here.
In 1789, the buildings were looted. They then became a prison. Later, the surrounding land was secularized. It was sold at the Revolution’s start. Under the Restoration, the Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul saw industrial growth.
The Calla foundry set up shop in 1820. The son would later create all the church’s castings. Industries and residences grew together. The administration decided to replace the old parish church. It had been in use since 1802. Jean-Baptiste Lepère designed a new church. He involved his son-in-law Jacques-Ignace Hittorff. Construction began in 1824.
Economic crisis and revolution halted work. In 1832, Hittorff took over. He reshaped the project. The church was consecrated in 1844. The Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul is imposing. It dominates the Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul. It’s facade blends styles. The interior mirrors Roman basilicas.
Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, however, has a problem: its darkness. Hippolyte Flandrin’s frieze runs along the nave. It was once considered a major French artwork. The chœur boasts a neo-Byzantine vault. Calla crafted the iron grilles. François Rude created the Calvary. Charles-Laurent Maréchal designed the stained glass. The chapel of the Virgin features William Bouguereau’s canvases. Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse sculpted the statue of Mary. Enameled lava plaques adorn the facade.
The main door displays the twelve apostles. Pierre-Jules Jollivet created lava enamel works. These depict biblical scenes. Calla’s workshops furnished the church. They used painted cast iron. This included grilles and baptismal fonts.
Entering Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul reveals its dimness. This results from design choices. Architects Lepère and Hittorff wanted rich colors. They aimed to revive medieval style. Charles-Laurent Maréchal used opaque enamels. These reduced light. To compensate, grisaille paint was added to the borders.
Hippolyte Flandrin’s frieze enhances Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul’s fame. This procession of saints was called “Christian Panathenaea”. It features 235 figures. They converge on Christ painted by François-Édouard Picot. Flandrin worked on it from 1848 to 1853. The figures are painted in wax on a gold background. They create an enchanting atmosphere.
François Rude’s Calvary is a masterpiece. It radiates strength and brilliance. Rude completed it at 70. Mary’s face shows resigned sadness. John’s displays revolt. However, his hands suggest hope. Hittorff wanted a black patina. This would contrast the Calvary with the gilded baldachin.
Originally, Hittorff only built a small chapel. It was enlarged in 1869 by Édouard Villain. He respected the original ideas. Stained glass and litanies decorate the chapel. Electric lights compensate for the lack of natural light. The organ is a Cavaillé-Coll installed in 1852. Hittorff designed its case. It was once the organ of the music conservatory.
Today, Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul offers history and art. Its evolution reflects Parisian life. From sacred beginnings to artistic heights, it continues to inspire.