Churches in Paris: Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois

Next to the Louvre is one of the oldest churches in Paris, the Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois.  

  

First established on the site in the 7th century, Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois is dedicated to Saint Germain, the 5th-century Bishop of Auxerre in Burgundy (not to be confused with another Saint Germain, the 6th century Bishop of Paris.)    

The church once served as the parish church for residents of the Louvre palace.  The current building was constructed from the 1100's to the 1400's.  Its architecture includes Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance elements.  

Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois Paris by Claude Monet (1867)

The altar included both traditional and modern, abstract elements.

A Flemish carved wood altarpiece from the 1400's is located in a side chapel.

The church has lovely stained-glass windows.

The church is filled with many lovely works of art.

The Annunciation

Saint Martin and the Beggar

Pieta

Below are Sainte Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, and Saint German, Bishop of Auxerre.  Germain once visited a village near Paris and met Genevieve.  He inspired her to pursue  life of faith.  Later in life, Genevieve twice saved Paris from invasion.  

  

While touring the church, we saw several indications that the parish is still very active.  For example, we were delighted to see a notice of upcoming wedding ceremonies.

Thanks for visiting Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois with us.