One of the oldest religious sites in Paris is located on the Left Bank. In the 500's, a Benedictine abbey was established on marshy land outside the walls of Paris. From the palace inside Paris, the king, who sponsored the abbey, could see abbey across the fields.
The abbey included a church, which was completed in 558 and dedicated by German, Bishop of Paris. German was later canonized as Saint German and the church was rebuilt and rededicated to him. The name of the church is Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or the church of Saint German in the fields. Currently, it's hard to picture the ancient fields that once surrounded the church; it is located on busy Boulevard Saint Germain, squeezed between large cafes, shops, and bustling sidewalks.
The church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries and very recently a restoration project inside the church was completed. The church is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. What is remarkable about the church is its brightly colored interior. Although the exterior is a rundown mixture of pale stones, the inside is astonishing! Nearly every interior surface is painted. Walking into the church is like stepping into a medieval painting. Let's take a tour.
The abbey included a church, which was completed in 558 and dedicated by German, Bishop of Paris. German was later canonized as Saint German and the church was rebuilt and rededicated to him. The name of the church is Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or the church of Saint German in the fields. Currently, it's hard to picture the ancient fields that once surrounded the church; it is located on busy Boulevard Saint Germain, squeezed between large cafes, shops, and bustling sidewalks.
The church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries and very recently a restoration project inside the church was completed. The church is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. What is remarkable about the church is its brightly colored interior. Although the exterior is a rundown mixture of pale stones, the inside is astonishing! Nearly every interior surface is painted. Walking into the church is like stepping into a medieval painting. Let's take a tour.
The church is home to many important tombs, including the tombs of Saint Germain, several Merovingian kings and philosopher Rene Descartes. The tomb of King Casimir of Poland (pictured below) is especially grand.
Another tomb is pictured below. Jean-Claude liked it because it depicts the occupant in a relaxed pose.
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| William Douglas, 10th Earl of Angus in Scotland |
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