This church is a beautiful mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, as it was begun in 1491, and was not completed until 1626.

It contains the only remaining rood screen in Paris, which dates from the 1500s. These screens were built to separate the clergy from the parishioners and this one is impressive.

Also fantastic, is the wooden carved pulpit, with a sculpture of Sampson at the bottom, who is holding it up. He is surrounded by the women who represent the seven virtues. Faith holds her cross and Prudence carries a book. Justice wields a sword. Fortitude holds a club, while Temperance is pouring wine. Hope has an anchor and Charity’s children surround her.

Also noteworthy is the church organ, built in the 1600s.

Check the schedule for musical events. The tomb of Saint Genevieve is inside, along with the remains of the great French dramatist, Jean Racine (1639-1699) and the history of this spot reverberates throughout. Clovis I, the first of the Merovingian line (466-511) built an abbey here and the Tour de Clovis (Tower of Clovis) can still be seen.

ST-ETIENNE DU MONT
1, place Ste-Genevieve
5th Arrondisement
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine