Churches in Paris: Église Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet

During a recent stroll on the Left Bank, we spotted Église Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet and stopped in.  

A church has existed on the site since the 1200's.  The existing church dates from the early 1700's.  It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas (his sculpture in the church is pictured below).  The church's name "du-Chardonnet" refers to chardon, or thistles, that once grew in the fields around the church.

The chapel behind the altar is beautifully decorated.  

While visiting the church, we discovered a traditional nativity scene.

The recent history of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet is interesting.  In 1977, members of the Society of Pius X occupied the church and ousted the parish priest.  The traditionalist Society, which rejects Vatican II and conducts mass in Latin, has been allowed to remain.  

Thanks for visiting Église Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet with us.