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Dôme Church
Hôtel des Invalides, Paris, France 75007 · 01 17 22 40 53
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7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Part of Hôtel des Invalides, this striking church was originally the complex's royal chapel. Now (as then) a landmark on the skyline, the dome was completed in 1708. It rises to 331 feet at its crowning spire and is a wonderful example of classical French architecture. The structure is the burial place for many military heroes, including Napoleon. In 1989, the dome's exterior gilding was refreshed; twenty pounds of gold leaf were required for the job.
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La Madeleine
pl de la Madeleine, Paris, France 75008 · 01 44 51 69 00
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8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Designed to resemble a classical Greco-Roman temple, this imposing structure was begun in 1764 and completed in the early 19th century. Although its construction and purpose suffered fits and starts, La Madeleine was ultimately deemed a church. Today, its elaborate interior boasts a wealth of religious art and iconography, including sculpture and frescoes. Nearby is a wonderful flower market and lots of excellent specialty shopping. METRO: Madeleine
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5ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Modeled after the Alhambra, this Moorish-styled mosque, crowned by a minaret, was built in the 1920s. Lovely courtyards add a note of serenity to the complex, which includes a prayer hall, tea room, bath house (or hammam), and striking interiors with incredible tilework. Tourists flock to the mosque to view the decor, to indulge in fragrant mint tea and pastries, and to relax in the soothing baths. Visitors should pay due respect to Muslim traditions when they visit, including being conservatively attired and removing shoes as necessary.
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Notre-Dame
6, pl du Parvis de Notre-Dame, Paris, France 75004 · 01 44 32 16 72
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4ème ARRONDISSEMENT. One of the most recognizable historic and religious sites in the world, Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic landmark and the city's spiritual home. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it's a vision of stone, stained glass and history. English language tours are offered Wednesday and Thursday at noon, Saturday at 2:30pm. If you have the stamina to climb 387 steps, views from the north tower will take your breath away. High above the historic city center, you'll come eye-to-eye with gargoyles and see laid out before you the Hôtel de Ville, the Sorbonne and the Panthéon. Definitely worth the climb! METRO: Cité
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Panthéon
pl du Pantheon, Paris, France 75005 · 01 44 32 18 00
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5ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Classical Greek architecture distinguishes this stately structure, which features both a dramatic portico and a colonnaded dome. Although "pantheon" originally referred to a temple for all gods, this building serves as the final resting place for some of France's most prestigious citizens, including Victor Hugo, Marie and Pierre Curie, Voltaire, and Emile Zola. Built in the 18th century, the Panthéon was intended early on as a sanctuary for St. Genevieve, Paris's patron saint. METRO: Cardinal Lemoine
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18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Built in 1873 as a symbol of Christian righteousness, this historic basilica sits on a hill at Montmartre, dominating the Parisian skyline. Its design was decided by competition, and the triple-domed Byzantine sanctuary was constructed in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The basilica houses religious texts and wonderful mosaics. It also hosts a regular array of events and activities.Views of the city from Sacre-Coeur are amazing. METRO: Anvers, Abbesses (line 12), Château-Rouge, Lamarck-Caulaincourt
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Saint-Eustache
2, impasse Saint-Eustache, Paris, France 75001 · 01 42 36 31 05
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1er ARRONDISSEMENT. This cathedral, one of Paris's finest, mixes Gothic and Renaissance styles. Begun in the 16th century, it was the site of the baptisms of Madame de Pompadour and Richelieu. It was also the site of Moliere's funeral, and it shelters the tomb of Jean-Baptiste Colbert (Louis XIV's finance minister). The cathedral, although lesser-known than Notre-Dame, offers incredible architecture – including gargoyles! – and lots of history to boot. METRO: Les Halles
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4ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This 17th-century church was built by the Jesuits with assistance and approval from Louis XIII. Its incredible Baroque architecture is rich with ornamention, and when the church was completed, its interior featured amazing artwork and furnishings. These, however, were plundered during the Revolution; some are now on display in the Louvre. The church's title reflects Louis's contributions and honors St. Paul's, a church that had been destroyed. Great sightseeing.
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Saint-Séverin
1, rue des Prêtres Saint-Séverin, Paris, France 75005 · 01 42 34 93 50
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5ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This grand Gothic church sits in the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank. It's renowned for its architecture and for its abundance of religious sculpture and artwork. The structure holds an enormous amount of history (which guides are happy to relate), and the church's long construction time endowed it with unique decorative features and a mix of architectural elements. St. Severin sits in one of the more lovely Parisian suburbs and today is a wonderful place in which to catch concerts of sacred music.
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1er ARRONDISSEMENT. This 13th-century Parisian chapel built by Louis IX is now incorporated into the Palais de Justice on the Île de la Cité. The stunning Gothic structure boasts two levels, including an upper section that's awash in light from gorgeous stained-glass windows. The chapel was intended to be a reliquary for religious artifacts retrieved from the Holy Land; today, it offers a good collection of medieval art. Not to be missed. METRO: Cité
Interested in places that bear a significant connection to spirituality? Look over our list of Religious Sites, some of which also have historical import. Among the offerings are places of worship and sites that commemorate religious events or people.
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