Paris
Eiffel Tower; Venus de Milo in the Louvre; and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Photos by the author.
Paris is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world for good reason. Beautiful architecture, historical sites, top-notch museums, fabulous food, romantic strolls by the river... Paris has it all.
Paris also has much to offer to travelers interested in religion and history. The once very Catholic France is now one of the least religious countries in the West, but Paris has a rich religious history and many active places of worship. Paris has played a key role in Roman, Christian and Jewish history and this heritage lives on in the cathedrals, monuments and artifacts these more devout times left behind. In addition, as a thriving urban center, Paris hosts a variety of newly-arrived religious communities including Muslims, Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses and Pentecostals.
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American Cathedral of Holy Trinity This Neo-Gothic cathedral was consecrated in 1886 as a place of worship for the American Episcopalians of Paris. |
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Chapel of the Miraculous Medal This Catholic shrine marks the site of three appearances of the Virgin Mary in 1830. |
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Church of St-Clotilde Once the most fashionable church in 19th-century Paris, the neo-Gothic Basilique Ste-Clotilde is best known for its imposing twin spires. |
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Church of St-Denis The imposing St-Denis is notable for its Gothic architecture and for being the burial site of French monarchs. |
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Church of St-Etienne-du-Mont This church stands on the site of an abbey founded by Clovis and dedicated to Geneviève, the patroness of Paris. It still receives pilgrims today. |
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Church of St-Germain-des-Prés Built to house a relic of the True Cross brought from Spain in 542, this church was so powerful in the Middle Ages that it became a town within the town. |
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Church of St-Germain l'Auxerrois When the Louvre was still a royal palace, this was its church. It accordingly drew an assortment of royalty, courtesans, men of art and law, and local artisans. |
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Church of St-Sulpice This is a huge - at one time the largest in Paris - Late Baroque church, located in the fashionable neighborhood of Saint-Sulpice. |
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La Madeleine Dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, this church was originally designed as a temple to the glory of Napoleon's army. |
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Mosquée de Paris This pink marble mosque was built in 1922 to honor the North African countries that had helped France during WW I. It is decorated with mosaics, wood carvings and wrought iron brought from Morocco. |
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Museum of the Arab World France has had close ties with the Arab world for centuries, due to trade links established during the crusades and France's former colonies in North Africa. |
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Museum of Jewish Art and History This excellent museum traces the history of Jewish art, culture and religion in France and Europe. |
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Museum of the Middle Ages A museum of medieval art housed in a lovely mansion that once hosted royalty. Underneath the museum are the ruins of ancient Roman baths. |
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Notre-Dame de Paris One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, this Gothic beauty is a must-see. |
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Panthéon This 18th-century church was originally part of an abbey dedicated to St. Genevieve; it now functions primarily as a burial place for French heroes. |
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Père-Lachaise Cemetary The most famous cemetery in France. Abelard and Héloïse, Chopin, Molière, Oscar Wilde, Delacroix, Balzac and Jim Morrison are among its residents. |
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Sacré-Coeur Basilica This 19th-century basilica and landmark is built over the place to which St. Denis is said to have carried his own severed head after his martyrdom. |
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Sainte-Chapelle Famed for its stained glass, this beautiful 13th-century Gothic chapel was built by King Louis IX as his royal chapel. |
