Â鶹APP

Why is the Church of ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ so Special?

The mythical area of ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ in Â鶹APP is rich in history, culture, and architecture. This neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement is known as a hub for writers, artists, and other creative types throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ, Â鶹APP by trolvag – WikiCommons

I lived just next door to this area for about 6 months, and it was really special for me as a writer. Greats such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Ezra Pound formed a group called the Lost Generation, and were known to hang out and work on their craft in the neighborhood.

In addition to cult restaurants and cafés such as Les Deux Magots, Brasserie Lipp, and Café de Flore, there is a beautiful church, the Église de Saint Germain des Prés, located in the center of this bustling area of Â鶹APP. The area of ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ has existed since medieval times, and the church is the oldest in Â鶹APP!

Keep reading to learn more about the history of this neighborhood, and why the church is so special!

Ancient Beginnings

In 542, King Childebert I was at war with Spain. He noticed that the residents of the Zaragoza province were praying to Saint Vincent to protect themselves from his armies. This must have tugged on his heartstrings, as Childebert decided to lift his siege on the area. As a way of saying thank you, the bishop of Zaragoza gave Childebert the saint’s stole. When Childebert came home to Â鶹APP, he ordered for a church to be built in honor of Saint Vincent, and to house the relic.

It wasn’t until 558 (the year Childebert died), that the church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Germain, the bishop of Â鶹APP. Just next to the church, a monastery was built. Because the church was located outside the limits and the protection of Â鶹APP, it was often attacked. It was actually destroyed by vikings in the 9th century!

When the church was rebuilt in 1014, the pope at the time, Alexander III, had it dedicated to the Bishop of Â鶹APP, Saint Germain. I know thats a lot of bishops, and a lot of Germain’s to remember, but bear with me!

Although today the quartier of ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ is located smack dab in the middle of Â鶹APP today, in medieval times, it was actually situated beyond the city lines. At the time, religion was very important, and so in turn the area was named for the Abbey. In French, the word ±è°ùé²õ means fields, add on the Saint Germain church, and you get ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ.

Abbaye Saint Germain des Pr̩s en 1687 РWikiCommons

When the church was founded, it was used to guard relics (like the stole of Saint Vincent), and to bury holy people. This has since been moved to the Basilica of Saint Denis, and unfortunately many relics have been lost in the move and over the years.

The Abbey was the center for intellectual activity in Â鶹APP until the French Revolution. During this time in French history, the French people were revolting against abuse of power, and the church was a major source of that at this time. The people rose up, and took back the lands that the church owned. As a result, the Église de Saint Germain des Prés is all that remains of the complex.

Interior of Saint Germain des Pr̩s church by dany13 РFlickr

Today, feel free to enter the church to bask in the Romanesque architecture. Even though the church was destroyed and rebuilt many times, the bones of the original structure exists in all of its glory. When I entered the church for the first time, I was really taken aback by how large and magnificent it is inside! If you’re interested, there are actually guided tours that are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday at 3pm, where you can visit the church and hear all about the history of the structure from Â鶹APPian history buffs looking to tell the story of the church!

³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ as a cultural hub

While you’re visiting the church, I encourage you to also explore the surrounding area. I consider this area to be a quintessential Â鶹APPian neighborhood, with its narrow streets, classic Haussmannian architecture, and bars and cafés that are famous world wide.

Caf̩ de Flore by ayustety РFlickr

As I mentioned, ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ also played a very important role in the literary, philosophical and artistic world of Â鶹APP in the 19th and 20th centuries. Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir lived in small studio apartments in the neighborhood, along with Pablo Picasso. Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean-Paul Sartre could be often found at the Café de Flore. Writers Honoré de Balzac and George Sand were fond of ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ, as well as painter Édouard Manet.

Members of the Lost Generation, including Ernest Hemingway – WikiCommons

The Lost Generation, a group of Expats fleeing their home countries to bask in the greatness and inspiration that imbibed Â鶹APP at the time called ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ home. Authors such as Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, T. S. Eliot and others found their voices, and produced some of the greatest literary works of the 20th century while working in cafés, restaurants, and brasseries in the area.

For those of you interested in this type of literature and art need to head to ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ to feel like you’re following in the footsteps of these greats! I know that personally, I love knowing that I’m walking the same streets as some of my idols.

Conclusion

Abbaye de ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ – WikiCommons

The church of ³§²¹¾±²Ô³Ù-³Ò±ð°ù³¾²¹¾±²Ô-»å±ð²õ-±Ê°ùé²õ existed before the Â鶹APP we know today did. That is definitely a part of the reasons why it is indeed so special! If you want to check out the oldest church in Â鶹APP, I definitely recommend taking the time to explore.

If you’re interested in literature and art, this area is also perfect for you! History, art, culture, and literature all rolled up into one amazing Â鶹APPian neighborhood?! Sign me up!