Visit Churches And Cathedrals In Paris
The city of Paris is full of churches , from different historical periods and architectural aesthetics. However, most of them belong to the Gothic style . Some of them have respected the lines of construction of that period, but have been raised later.
The Parisian attraction to the Gothic may possibly have to do with the general style of the city, since it has many similarities and that style adapts perfectly to the environment. By making all the constructions with the same style, it makes them similar to each other and does not cause an aesthetic impact on the environment.
If you are passionate about visiting these monuments, due to their history, their architecture or simply because of what they represent, we have made a compilation of the churches and cathedrals in Paris that may be of most tourist interest . We remind you that visits to the interior may not be possible during mass hours or specific events. Here is a list of the churches and cathedrals to visit in Paris that have the most tourist recognition. Some of the temples that we mention include free audio guides in their visits with which to learn about the architecture and history of the monument.
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What cathedrals or churches to visit in Paris?
After the fire that broke out on April 15 in the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, its treasury and its towers are closed and reconstruction and repair work is being carried out. The security perimeter of the Ile de la Cité has been reduced since April 21. However, it is still impossible to access the immediate surroundings of the cathedral, as well as the Petit Pont and the Pont au Double.
Notre -Dame Cathedral is considered to be a masterpiece of Gothic architecture . Notre-Dame is one of the most famous points of interest in the city of Paris and one of the most visited religious monuments in all of France. This place has appeared in several movies and television series such as Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Starting with a visit to this majestic monument will help you gain a deeper understanding of the architectural style of the other churches and cathedrals in Paris.
- Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Pl. Jean-Paul II
- Hours: Notre Dame Cathedral is open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the cathedral closes at 7:15 p.m.
- Rates: Admission is free and free, as well as audio guides. The free visit in Spanish takes place on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
Church Of The Madeleine
Construction of this neoclassical architecture building began in 1764. The church inside was finally consecrated in 1845. The Madeleine church is surrounded by Corinthian columns and crowned with a triangular pediment. The interior of the temple is decorated with sculptures by Pradier and Rude . The architecture of the Temple de la Madeleine departs from the architecture followed by most churches and cathedrals in Paris.
- Location: Place de la Madeleine
- Hours: open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Rates: Free.
The Sacred Heart Basilica
The Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, or Basilica of the Sacred Heart , is located on top of a hill in the Montmartre district , from where you can get wonderful views of the city . Its construction began as a symbol of national reconciliation after a defeat of France against Prussia in 1870, it was finally inaugurated in 1919.
- Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
- Hours: the cathedral is open every day of the year from 6:00 a.m. in the morning until 10:30 p.m. in the evening.
- Rates: Free. The audio guide can be downloaded as a free app from its website
Church Of Saint-Severin
The architecture of the Church of San Severino perfectly combines elements of the Gothic with contemporary stained glass windows . The temple was built in honor of Saint Severin, a 15th-century character who withdrew from the world to experience a life of meditation by the Seine. San Severino was related to San Martín, the patron saint of travelers. Around the church there are different cobbled streets that are home to restaurants , shops and cafes .
- Location: 3 Rue des Pretres Saint-Severin
- Hours: the church is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Rates: free
Church Of Saint Etienne Du Mont
The church of Saint Etienne du Mont is located in the Latin Quarter and is where the remains of Saint Genevieve , the patron saint of the city, are preserved. This temple is in the Gothic style with some features of the Renaissance and classicism . It is recommended to see the jubé inside.
- Location: Place Sainte-Geneviève
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and in the afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the hours are extended until 8:00 p.m.
- Rates: free
Sainte-Chapelle
This magnificent Gothic church stands out for the wonderful stained glass windows with which it is built. The construction of this monument was ordered by Louis IX, a devout king who wanted to build a place to house the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the Holy Cross . The architect who built the Sainte-Chapelle, Pierre Montreuil, also worked on Notre-Dame.
- Location: 8 Boulevard du Palais
- Hours: open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From April to September the schedule is extended to 7:00 p.m.
- Rates: general admission €9
Saint-Eustache
The Saint-Eustache church is the second largest temple in Paris , after Notre-Dame. This church took more than 105 years to build and combines different styles of Gothic, Neoclassical and Renaissance . In the square in front is a curious statue called Miller’s L’Écoute d’Henri , a head next to a gigantic hand.
- Location: 2 Impasse Saint-Eustache
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday the hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
- Rates: free entry
Saint-Germain-Des-Pres
The Saint Germain des Prés church, founded in the 15th century , is one of the oldest Gothic-style churches in Paris . During the Middle Ages it was a religious and cultural center with a lot of power. If you like organ concerts , the last Sunday of each month , at 3:30 p.m., there is a concert with free admission.
- Location: 3 Place Saint-Germain des Pres
- Hours: the church opens from 12:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., but the tourist visits take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There are also tourist visits on the third Sunday of the month at 3:00 p.m.
- Rates: free entry