The Church of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois is a medieval Roman Catholic church in the 1st arrondissement of Paris (France), directly across from the Louvre Palace. It was named for Saint Germanus of Auxerre, a medieval bishop of Auxerre, who became a papal envoy and met Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, on his journeys. Genevieve is reputed to have converted queen Clotilde and her husband, French king Clovis I to Christianity at the tomb of Saint Germain in Auxerre.
The current church was built in the 13th century, with major modifications in the 15th and 16th centuries. From 1608 until 1806, it was the parish church for inhabitants of the Louvre, and the church contains the tombs of many notable artists and architects who worked on the palace. Since the 2019 fire, which badly damaged Notre-Dame, the cathedral’s regular services have been held at Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois.
The original bell tower was placed against the south transept of the church in the late 12th century; its lower portions are the only remaining Romanesque elements of the church. This was the bell tower that gave the signal for the beginning of the Saint Bartholomew’s Day massacre of Protestants on 23 August 1572.
The north tower was added in about 1860 and is adjacent to the hall of the 1st arrondissement (1859). It was built by architect Théodore Ballu. It was part of the vast reconstruction of central Paris conducted by Baron Haussmann.
The exterior of the church blends elements of Romanesque, Rayonnant, Flamboyant Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. The only existing Romanesque elements, dating from the 12th century, are found in the lower portion of the bell tower, where it is attached to the south transept. The western portal was built around 1220-1230. It was originally the meeting place of the canons of the cathedral, who held their ecclesiastical court there, and was the classroom where pupils were instructed in the catechism.
Address: 2 Pl. du Louvre, 75001 Paris, France.
Working Hours:
Monday 9 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–7 PM
Thursday 9 AM–7 PM
Friday 9 AM–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–7 PM
Sunday 9 AM–7:30 PM
Phone: +33 1 42 60 13 96
Architectural styles: Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture, Baroque architecture, French Gothic architecture
Architects: Pierre Lescot, Victor Baltard, Jacques Ignace Hittorff
Opened: 1220
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