Paris is known for its magnificent churches. The beauty of the city’s churches can now be appreciated by anybody, and they provide welcoming settings for meditation and prayer. Post – Revolution, many of these magnificent structures fell into disrepair, but renewed interest in the 19th century led to their restoration. Tourists are welcome to attend Mass and other services alongside locals. The city’s most notable churches also provide a glimpse of the city’s greatest art and architecture for visitors with a secular point of view. Many of the churches also organize concerts and festivals, such as organ recitals and classical music festivals.
1. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
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The Notre Dame Cathedral, a amazing site, is one of Paris’ top attractions. In the center of medieval Paris, the 12th-century cathedral is a marvel of Gothic architecture. The facade, with its abundance of gargoyles and flying buttresses, is the first thing that draws attention. The magnificent exterior builds excitement for the interior, which is astounding in its religious majesty. The enormous sanctuary is a stunning example of an Early Gothic vaulted nave. In the otherwise solemn environment, lit prayer candles flicker, creating a calm and otherworldly atmosphere.
2. Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
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Because of the glittering alabaster domes and ornate decoration that resembles icing, Parisians usually refer to this church as the “Wedding Cake.” The Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, a relatively recent structure for Paris, was built in the 19th century as a symbol of reconciliation following France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. A giant gilded figure of Christ with a golden heart adorns the domed sanctuary of the otherwise solemn sanctuary, making it one of the world’s largest mosaics. Book your Paris Honeymoon Packages from Pickyourtrail and personalize your vacation according to your taste!
3. Sainte-Chapelle
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The chapel was commissioned by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in the mid-13th century to house valuable Christian relics. It has 600 square meters of stained-glass windows on the walls. The illumination is spectacular because the windows encompass practically the entire space. To enjoy the effect of light filtering through the multicolored windows, go early in the morning and on a sunny day. The biblical stories are depicted in each of the 15 windows, which total over a thousand scenes.
4. Eglise Saint-Sulpice
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Following the release of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code and the subsequent blockbuster-hit Hollywood film, the Eglise Saint-Sulpice became a famous tourist site. Despite the thin link between the church’s “meridian line” and Brown’s mythical “Rose Line,” tourists still come to learn about the church’s connection to the fake story. In the 6th arrondissement, the Church of Saint-Sulpice sits atop a lovely square dotted with sidewalk cafés. With its evocative cobblestone lanes and a plethora of intriguing shops, this beautiful neighborhood is a delight for travelers to explore.
5. Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Childebert, the Merovingian King, built a basilica in AD 543, which is the historic foundation of this church, Paris’s earliest Christian institution of worship. The church, which was rebuilt in the 10th century, has a plain facade that does not prepare visitors for the splendour of the inside. The capitals of the Romanesque nave are ornately adorned. The church offers daily Mass and is open to the public for cultural tours, prayer, and meditation every day. The Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés is also a venue for music performances, primarily classical and religious. The church’s position in the Latin Quarter district, near the Boulevard Saint-Germain, with its famed café scene, is another draw for visitors.