Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Eglise des missions de Paris


Here is a place, I'm sure that very few Parisians know about. It's the crypt of L'Eglise des Missions Etrangères de Paris, a church that was built between 1683 and 1697 and that is dedicated to the Catholic missionaries that France would send to a lot of countries in Asia where it wanted to increase its influence (Indochina, Siam - now Thailand, etc.). Of course, nowadays missionaries are less numerous (379 according to Wikipedia), but the place still exists and has one of the largest private gardens in Paris! Alas, you cannot visit them... But still, FYI, this church is located 128 rue du Bac, in the 7th arrondissement. [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]

25 comments:

  1. I knew NOTHING about this place! And what a super photo!

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  2. But you can visit the church? If so, I definitely will sometime.

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  3. Love the perspective on this picture, Eric! It seems very mysterious...somewhere you can't visit, but here is a tiny peek. :)

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  4. I'd lay money its gardens are magnificent... except that we're in a church, so I'll refrain.

    Another shot taken from the shadowed darkness ~ I love these. Were you standing on something, Eric? Have you been borrowing Alexa's and my milk crates or is Tall Gary giving you a piggy back?

    Congrats GF, Alexa!

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  5. What an amazing photo!
    And you say you didn't like taking photos...

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  6. What a wonderful photo! It's mysterious, as Christie said. Why don't people know about it? And how did you know about it? Very interesting.

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  7. Now that's interesting. I know there were French missionaries among the first Europeans who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. The bad news is, if they weren't killed, they were captured and sold as slaves. Sorry.

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  8. You can obviously visit the church though - unless - you have Divine connections, Eric? Apart from us here, that is ;)

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  9. I have been there and, as you say, the crypt is unfortunately more or less the only thing you can visit! A real pity! (You can always visit Le Bon Marché across the street!)

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  10. Why is the garden prohibited then, and for whose pleasure is it exclusive?

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  11. interesting history and your perspective pulls the viewer right in and makes you want to follow the dark path to get to the light and see more.

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  12. Spooky pic... but very atmospheric.

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  13. Really beautiful, Eric. I love the "secret view."

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  14. I haven't heard of this one - that is some garden! Shame it is private though.

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  15. Interesting shot and angle Eric....do you miss Paris Yet??? Probably the fromage ehhh???

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  16. @Petrea "why don't people know about it?" It's impossible to know about everything in Paris, unless maybe you're a tour guide or have a lot of time to devote to exploring every corner... There are just too many things to know and most people don't have time to explore. Just my guess!

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  17. I am not into crypts but this is a lovely photo Eric!! WOW. I'll take Peter's advice and shop since I can't get this great shot!

    Oh and Petrea, we all know Eric knows all about everything Paris!
    V

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  18. I guess it wasn't the smartest question ever! I always assume the Paris churches are part of the tourist map, but Paris is a city full of secrets. She can't keep her secrets from Eric, though!

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  19. I have visited the gardens on one of those "Journees du Patrimoine", a September somewhere in the last ten years. I remember them as being nice and contemplative, but otherwise not that special as gardens go. The private cours and gardens of Paris, no matter how small, always seem such respites from the bustle of the street.

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  20. Visiting Paris' indoors stuff takes a LOT of time. Most people don't stay in Paris that long, so let see if you want to go to 2 or 3 museums, visit one or two monuments, eat at a few restaurants, walk around well.. it goes fast! :)

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