Churches in Paris: Église Saint-Eustache de Paris

Early in Year 4, we visited the Pompidou museum.  The Pompidou is a tall building and the top floor provides a panormic view of Paris.  As we scanned the skyline, we spotted a large building that we could not identify.  The building looked like a Gothic church not far from the Pompidou.  So, we decided to investigate.

We learned that the massive building is a church, Église Saint-Eustache.

The church is located next Les Halles, which was home to Paris' central market until it was relocated in 1969.  Saint-Eustache, known as the L’église des Halles (the market church) served the thousands of Parisians who lived near or visited the market.  

The church is dedicated to Saint Eustache, a 2nd century martyr who was a Roman General who converted.  His story resembles the life of Job, without the happy ending.  

A church was first built on the site in the 1200's.  The present building was built during the 1500's and 1600's.  The architectural style has Gothic, Renaissance and classical elements.  

Below is photographic tour of Saint-Eustache.

The south entry with stone carvings 

The Annunciation

The Nativity

A clear window with a heart shaped opening.

Below is the mausoleum of Louis XIV's minister of finances, Jean-Baptiste Colbert.

The church includes some modern works of art, including a sculpture depicting a market scene.  

Another work, a video, is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.  The video (you can see it below) depicts a beating heart. 

Below is a work by Keith Haring.  We remember seeing a duplicate in a church that we visited during Year 1 in New York (St. John the Divine). This one is dedicated to the AIDS victims of this parish.

We recently passed by the beautifully lit Saint-Eustache at dusk.

Thanks for visiting L'église Saint-Eustache with us.