In the heart of the 6th arrondissement, the Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes Catholic Church opens its doors for the Heritage Days, a showcase that lets visitors explore iconic sites and hidden treasures free of charge, on September 19 and 20, 2026. This visit invites you to discover a historic edifice tucked inside the Institut Catholique de Paris, where architecture, religious art and pivotal moments in French history come together. With its striking dome, remarkable decorations and crypt, the church promises plenty of surprises for curious visitors eager to learn more about Parisian heritage.
The story of Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes begins in the early 17th century with the settlement of the Carme dechaux in Paris. Construction on the church started in 1613 under the impulse of Marie de Médicis and gradually took shape over successive decades. Its dome, inspired by Italian Baroque architecture, ranks among the city’s earliest examples of the style. The building is also linked to a pivotal moment of the French Revolution: the massacres of September 1792. More than a hundred clergy were executed here before being laid to rest in the crypt, today converted into a memorial. Since the 19th century, the church has belonged to the Institut Catholique de Paris, which safeguards this exceptional heritage while ensuring it remains an active part of university life.
The Heritage Days offer a wonderful opportunity to discover this monument from a privileged perspective. Strolling through the nave, admiring the frescoes, the dome and the chapels, visitors can gauge the site’s artistic wealth while tracing the different periods that shaped its identity. The visit also opens a window onto an important chapter of Parisian history thanks to the crypt of the Martyrs of September, a detail rarely touched upon during a casual stroll through the neighborhood. Just minutes from the Luxembourg Garden and from Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this discovery makes for an ideal complement to a stroll through one of the city’s most historic districts and serves as a reminder of how much Paris still hides places capable of surprising—even seasoned locals.
Free self-guided visit to an Italian Baroque church: Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes, a standout site in Paris
Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes Church is a remarkable site in Paris. A church of Italian Baroque style, it hosted in the early 17th century France’s first community of Carmelite Friars after the reform led by Saint Teresa of Ávila. In 1792, the church was turned into a prison for priests who refused to sign the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. More than 110 priests and bishops were martyred on September 2 of that year in the gardens beside the church. A crypt is dedicated to them. In the 19th century, Father Lacordaire reintroduced the Dominican order to this church and befriended Frédéric Ozanam, a forerunner of “Catholic social thought.” Frédéric Ozanam, founder of the Saint Vincent de Paul Societies, died at 40 after devoting himself to the poorest. He is buried in the church crypt and was beatified in 1997 by Pope John Paul II during his Paris visit for the World Youth Days (WYD).
A visit to the church and its crypts takes place every Saturday at 3 p.m. (enter at 70 rue de Vaugirard), except in August.
Visits are also possible on weekdays: contact accueil@sjdc.fr
Participation terms: Free | No booking required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10:00 to 17:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 12:00 to 17:00
A guided tour of an Italian Baroque church: Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes, an exceptional site in Paris
Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes Church stands as a remarkable site in Paris. An Italian Baroque gem, it became home to France’s first Carmelite Friars of the Reform after Saint Teresa of Ávila’s movement in the early 17th century. In 1792, the church was turned into a prison for priests who refused to sign the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. That same year, more than 110 priests and bishops were martyred in the gardens beside the church, and a crypt was dedicated to them. In the 19th century, Father Lacordaire reinstalled the Dominican order here and formed a close friendship with Frédéric Ozanam, a pioneer of “Catholic social thought.” Ozanam, founder of the Saint Vincent de Paul Societies, died at 40 after devoting himself to the poorest. He is buried in the church crypt and was beatified in 1997 by Pope John Paul II during his Paris visit for the World Youth Day (JMJ).
Tours of the church and its crypt take place every Saturday at 3 p.m. (enter at 70 rue de Vaugirard), excluding August.
Visits are also possible on weekdays: contact accueil@sjdc.fr
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes Catholic Church
70 Rue de Vaugirard
75006 Paris 6
Route planner
Access
Metro lines 10 or 12, at Sèvres–Babylone station
Official website
www.sjdc.fr
