Basilique Ste-Clotilde, Paris
Imposing Neo-Gothic twin spires of Ste-Clotilde. Photo by Peter Dutton.
Ste-Clotilde Basilica towers above the trendy St-Germain-des-Pres
neighborhood in Paris. Photo © Paroisse Sainte Clotilde.
Sculptured relief over the central portal. Photo by Claude Covo-Farchi.
Interior view of the rose window. Photo by Claude Covo-Farchi.
View of the altar and apse. Photo by Claude Covo-Farchi.
Once the most fashionable church in 19th-century Paris, the Neo-Gothic Basilique Ste-Clotilde is best known for its imposing twin spires. The open space in front of the basilica is often filled with children playing ball, watched by parents relaxing in the shady garden.
The history of the Basilica of Ste-Clotilde began on February 16, 1827, at a meeting of the Paris municipal council. The council decided to build a church dedicated to St. Charles and nominated an architect for the job.
However, construction did not get underway until two decades and two architects later. Ste-Clotilde was ultimately built in the Neo-Gothic style in accordance with the preferences of the Paris prefect who took over the project in 1833.
Ste-Clotilde was consecrated on November 30, 1857, after 12 years of construction.
In 1896, on the 14th centenary of the baptism of Clovis, Pope Leo III designated the church of Ste-Clotilde a minor basilica.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Basilique Ste-Clotilde; Basilica of St. Clotilde |
| Type of site: | Minor Basilica |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Status: | Active |
| Dates: | 1827-57 |
| Architecture: | Neo-Gothic |
| Location: | St-Germain-des-Près (6e) |
| Address: | 23 bis rue Las Cases, 75007 Paris |
| Walk: | From the Palais Bourbon take rue Bourgogne south; then take a left on rue Las-Cases. |
| Métro: | Solférino |
| Phone: | 01.44.18.62.60 |
| Website: | www.sainte-clotilde.com |
| Hours: | Mon-Fri: 9am-7:30pm; Sat-Sun: 10am-8pm |
| Mass: | Sat 6:30, Sun 11 and 7; Mon-Fri 8:30am (in the chapel) |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
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Sources
- Basilique Sainte Clotilde – Official Website
- Basilique Ste-Clotilde – Fodor's Online Travel Guide
