Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
ÉGLISE ST-GERMAIN DES PRÉS
Paris' oldest standing church, the Romanesque St Germanus of the Fields was built in
the 11th century on the site of a 6th-century abbey and was the dominant place of
worship in Paris until the arrival of Notre Dame. It's undergone numerous alterations
since, but the CChapelle de St
elle de St-Sy
-Sympphoriien (to the right as you enter) was part of the
original abbey.
The Chapelle de St-Symphorien is believed to be the resting place of St Germanus
(496-576), the first bishop of Paris. The Merovingian kings were buried here during
the 6th and 7th centuries, but their tombs disappeared during the Revolution.
Over the western entrance, the bell t
ell tower has changed little since 990, although the
spire dates only from the 19th century.
Until the late 17th century the abbey owned most of the land in the Left Bank west
of what's now bd St-Michel, and donated some of its lands along the Seine - the Pré
aux Clercs (Fields of the Scholars) - to house the University of Paris (hence the
names of the nearby streets, rues du Pré aux Clercs and de l'Université).
DON'T MISS…
Chapelle de St-Symphorien
Bell tower
PRACTICALITIES
3 place St-Germain des Prés, 6e
8am-7.45pm Mon-Sat, 9am-8pm Sun
St-Germain des Prés
