Lost beneath the parvis of Notre-Dame lies a story. It is a tale of a grand cathedral that time almost forgot. We are standing on the very spot where Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Paris once stood.
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne was not just any church. It was the cathedral of Paris. This was from the 4th or 6th century. It stood until its destruction between 1160 and 1163. The construction of Notre-Dame replaced it.
Imagine this place bustling with activity. People came here for prayer and community. Cathédrale Saint-Étienne was the heart of religious life. It preceded the world-famous Notre-Dame.
The location of Cathédrale Saint-Étienne is key. It sat on the parvis. This is the square in front of Notre-Dame. Its western facade was about forty meters further west than Notre-Dame’s current facade.
Now picture the cathedral’s size. It was quite large for its time. The building measured seventy meters long. It was thirty-six meters wide. Marble columns lined the nave. The nave itself was ten meters wide.
Interestingly, Cathédrale Saint-Étienne had five naves. There were four collateral aisles. The first two were five meters wide. The second two measured 3.5 meters. The cathedral was adorned with mosaics. It featured a dome in the antique style. There was likely a porch and a bell tower. A tower stood on the left side.
The history of Cathédrale Saint-Étienne is complex. It was built on Roman foundations. Remodeling occurred in the 6th century. Historians believe a Merovingian king founded it. Childebert I may have been the founder or restorer.
Around Cathédrale Saint-Étienne were other religious buildings. There was a church dedicated to Sainte Marie called Notre-Dame. A baptistery named Saint-Jean-le-Rond also stood nearby.
Excavations have revealed much about this lost cathedral. The first discoveries were in 1711. More extensive excavations happened in the 19th and 20th centuries. These digs unearthed foundations and decorations. Fragments of marble and pottery emerged. These items now reside in the Musée de Cluny.
Despite its grandeur, Cathédrale Saint-Étienne fell into ruin. By 1110, it was in a state of disrepair. Bishop Maurice de Sully decided to build a new, larger sanctuary. This led to the destruction of Cathédrale Saint-Étienne. Construction on Notre-Dame began in 1163.
So, as you stand here, remember what lies beneath. Cathédrale Saint-Étienne may be gone. Its story remains. It’s a reminder of the rich history upon which Paris was built. Its legacy lives on in the shadow of Notre-Dame. The echoes of its past resonate through the stones beneath our feet.