If you're taking a stroll around the charming little Île Saint-Louis in the 4th arrondissement, make sure you stop off at theEglise-Saint-Louis-en-l'Île. Impossible to miss, it covers a large part of the island!
Construction of this edifice dedicated to Saint Louis was decided in 1622, but did not begin until 1664, to plans by François Le Vau (whose brother Louis is famous for having designed the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and the Château de Versailles). After Le Vau's death, Gabriel Le Duc, Pierre Bullet and then Jacques Doucet continued the work, which was completed in 1726.
During your visit, you'll notice that the west facade of the church is completely blind, due to existing constructions at the time of its construction. Also of note is the beautiful 30-metre-high bell tower, remarkable for its narrow, openwork shape, designed to keep out the wind that sometimes blows hard on the Île Saint-Louis. The present bell tower houses an astonishing iron clock, which hangs perpendicular to the street.
While the exterior and interior ofEglise Saint-Louis-en-L' Île were deliberately uncluttered from the outset, its style was overworked in the 18th and 19th centuries to transform it into a Baroque church, similar to theJesuit church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis featured here.
The interior is breathtakingly beautiful: woodwork, sculptures, a wealth of gilding, stucco and marble, murals and numerous works of art are all there to be discovered once you cross the threshold.
During the French Revolution, the statue of the Virgin and Child and the statue of Sainte-Geneviève were respectively transformed into the Goddess of Liberty and the Goddess of Reason, saving them from destruction. They can still be seen today!
Also, for classical music lovers, the Saint-Louis-en-l'Île Church regularly hosts concerts. A luxurious church that’s worth its weight in gold!
The most beautiful churches in Paris to discover on a stroll
Gothic, neoclassical, Romanesque, or even more contemporary styles, Paris’s churches tell centuries of history and architecture. Set out to discover the capital’s most beautiful churches! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Tuesday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
- from 02:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.
Wednesday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
- from 02:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.
Thursday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
- from 02:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.
Friday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
- from 02:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.
Saturday:
from 09:30 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
- from 02:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.
Sunday:
from 09:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
- from 02:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m.
Location
Saint-Louis-en-l'Île Church
Église Saint-Louis-en-l'Île
75004 Paris 4
Route planner
Accessibility info
Official website
www.saintlouisenlile.catholique.fr
The most beautiful churches in Paris to discover on a stroll
