Saint-Germain Church in Charonne, a well-preserved village church in the 20th arrondissement

The setting for a number of films, including Lautner's classic Les Tontons Flingueurs, the Eglise Saint-Germain de Charonne has retained its charm as a small church in the center of the old village of Charonne.

Do you remember the final scene of Georges Lautner's film Les Tontons Flingueurs? The moment when the five uncles are kneeling inside the church while, outside on the steps, a car explodes? Well, that church is none other than Saint-Germain de Charonne Church, in the 20th arrondissement!

The history of this church stretches back centuries, well before the legendary 1963 filming. Legend has it that the Eglise Saint-Germain de Charonne was built on the site of a small chapel marking the meeting in 430 between Saint Germain and Saint Genevieve, the future patron saint of Paris.

From those bygone days, little remains, aside from the stout pillars of the tower dating from the 12th century. The rest of the architecture stems from the 15th and 17th centuries. The Saint-Germain de Charonne Church has, indeed, undergone numerous transformations after a succession of fires that ravaged it. This religious building stood at the heart of the old village of Charonne. It was even its highest point, offering, in its era, one of the most charming views of Paris and its surroundings.

L'Eglise Saint-Germain de Charonne, lieu de tournage de plusieurs films — Guilhem Vellut

The Church of Saint-Germain in Charonne also deserves a visit for its cemetery, as it is one of the last intramuros churches to still have one, after a municipal decree reduced the number of cemeteries within the city for health reasons.

Built on an unstable clay layer, the church has faced stability issues. It has only been possible to visit again since 2016, after years of work! During these renovations, archaeological excavations were carried out, uncovering 370 ancient burials, some dating back more than 1,000 years!

The Saint-Germain de Charonne Church, now listed as a historic monument, has managed to preserve the old-world charm of a small rural church on the village square!

Finally, it’s worth noting that this pretty church also appears in other films beyond Les Tontons Flingueurs: Le Cave se Rebiffe with Jean Gabin, Une Veuve en Or by Michel Audiard, or Au Bon Beurre by Edouard Molinaro.

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