Considered the oldest church in Paris Saint-Germain-des-Près stands as a testament to centuries of history. It has witnessed the city’s evolution. This beautiful gem sits in the middle of the touristy 6th arrondissement. It is on the busy Boulevard St.-Germain.
Saint-Germain-des-Près was built in the mid-6th century by King Childebert. He acquired Saint Vincent’s robe during a war in Spain. Childebert housed the relic in the church. He named it after the saint. The church was completed in 558. Germain the Bishop of Paris dedicated it. Eventually it adopted his name. A monastery was built on the grounds. At that time these were fields outside ancient Paris. Près means fields in French.
Like many landmarks in France Saint-Germain-des-Près has a colorful past. Vikings plundered and burned it in the 9th century. Later a moat surrounded it during the Hundreds’ Year War. Water came from the Seine in the 14th century.
During the French Revolution the church closed. It served briefly as a prison. Then it was a storehouse for gunpowder. The gunpowder exploded in 1794. This caused a major fire.
In 1862 Saint-Germain-des-Près was listed as a historical monument. Today the church occupies a trendy location. It sits across from Les Deux Magots. Café de Flore is a few steps to the west. These were popular hangouts for artists and writers in the early 20th century. Jean-Paul Sartre Albert Camus Ernest Hemingway and Picasso frequented them.
In 2012 the City of Paris started a major restoration project. It cost millions of Euros. The City contributed only about 15% to the fundraising. 85% came from private donors and fundraising projects. The work was completed at the end of 2021.
One fundraising effort was the Adopt a Star program. People could adopt any of the 3000 stars on the ceiling for $100. The statuary and artwork tell many varied and interesting stories.
John II Casimir Vasa was king of Poland. He abdicated in 1668. He moved to France and became Abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Près church. A sculpture represents his renouncing his crown and scepter. The tomb contains John’s heart.
A statue of the Virgin Mary was found during an archeological dig. It was on the rue de Furstemberg. She is referred to as the Virgin of the Smile. She is smiling faintly in this statue.
Guillaume Douglas Prince of Scotland renounced his Protestant faith. He became Catholic and was exiled to France. He died in 1611. Saint Francis Xavier was a 16th-century Jesuit missionary. He traveled extensively in Asia preaching the teachings of Jesus. Notice the saint’s foot on a head. This represents the end of paganism.
There are two small squares on either side of Saint-Germain-des-Près. Square Félix Desruelles is located just to the south. It is a quiet oasis in a very busy area. The park celebrates the art of ceramics. A ceramic wall is located at the eastern end of the park. The wall was created for the Exposition Universelle of 1900. The statue in the center is Bernard Palissy. He was a 16th-century ceramics artist.
Parc Laurent-Prache occupies the land at the northwest corner of the church. The main attraction is the large bust of Dora Maar Picasso’s lover. Picasso dedicated the bust to his good friend Guillaume Apollinaire.
So take some time to visit this beautiful and historical gem Saint-Germain-des-Près. If you visit at the right hour on a sunny day you’ll be treated to a beautiful sight. Admire the stunning interior. There are organ concerts from time to time. It would be a magical setting.