Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais Church


Last year, more than 29 million tourists visited Paris! I guess they all wanted to see for themselves the beauty we, Parisians, pass by everyday without really noticing it! Hence this church that I've never shown - at least from this angle. It was named after two famous Saints (Saint-Gervais  and Saint-Protais) and it's the oldest one on the right bank. It was built between 1494 and 1621 (yes, it took quite some time, but they did not have bulldozers in the middle ages ;-)) Not only is its architecture very spectacular (you can read everything about it on Wikipedia if you're interested), but it also has a stunning organ, which is still in operation. Last, but not, least, it was bombed during WWI killing 88 people .

13 comments:

  1. The Couperin played on that organ. And a visit inside is really worth it.

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  2. I don't think I saw this when I was in Paris. Surely I'd remember, it's spectacular.

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  3. came to your site after a long time may be 3 years or so. Great to see the same enthusiasm that started it almost 8/9 years back. Paris always have something to be photographed. Keep going.

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  4. @Santm. Thank you! Well, I'm going to make a few layout changes soon and I'm working on a book, but yes I still take pleasure in sharing Paris!

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  5. Definitely one of my favourite churches in Paris. Elegant baroque facade hides a much older Gothic church behind it.
    They have a lovely sung mass on Sunday mornings.
    When I was in Paris last year I took a couple of photos of this facade. Yours is better, but it was dark and pouring with rain at the time. That's my excuse anyway!
    Perhaps I'll get a better shot this year.

    A book? Interesting.

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  6. That is a lovely church. Oh, my list of "must sees" keeps getting longer and longer! I hate the thought of choosing between some amazing things. Thanks for showing us so many amazingly beautiful things!

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  7. I took some shots of the red doors when I was there last time—my shots were nowhere near as good as yours either. A book, you say? That's very exciting, but Petrea may call you a copycat! :~}

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  8. gorgeous gorgeous picture. Eric, a book? good for you, and.... I hope you spell my name right in it when you come to the part where you thank all your PDP friends!

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  9. @Anne " I hope you spell my name right in it when you come to the part where you thank all your PDP friends!" I will! On top of that I do intend to include several comments!

    It's a lot of work, but fun.

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  10. Thanks for the plug, Alexa! But I'll bet Eric's is not the same kind of book as mine. Are you going to tell us more, Eric?

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  11. Pardon de toujours venir ici pour faire des remarques historiques, mais j'aime beaucoup votre site que je visite quotidiennement et je me permets de faire une petite mise au point ;-)
    St Gervais-St Protais n'a pas été construite au Moyen Age (1494, début de la construction est dans ce qu'on appelle la Renaissance) malgré le style gothique utilisé pour l'intérieur. Bien qu'on ne possédait pas de bulldozers à l'époque moderne, les longs délais de construction étaient dus davantage aux questions de fonds (on faisait une campagne de construction quand on avait un budget) qu'aux questions techniques.

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  12. I love this church and the space behind it as well. I sat in for some fine music. Thanks for the daily photos!

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