Join us as we explore the notable Russian landmarks that adorn the streets of Paris! Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, many Russians fled their homeland and settled in France, making the capital their new home for good.
From the most beautiful and hidden Orthodox churches and cathedrals to this Russian bookstore near Place des Vosges, and passing through a must-visit shop in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood filled with stunning matryoshka dolls, as well as Petite Russie, a village-like district in the 13th arrondissement perched about ten meters above street level, embark on a journey to discover Russia in Paris!
Paris is home to a stunning Russian Orthodox Cathedral, located next to the Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement. Built in the Moscow neo-byzantine style, it serves as the city's main Orthodox worship site. The Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky was constructed in the 19th century, a period when the Russian community in Paris was booming. It was ultimately authorized by Napoleon III. Funded largely through donations from Czar Alexander II and French Orthodox faithful, the church stands as a testament to the vibrant ties between Russia and France during that era.
Dedicated on September 11, 1861, on the eve of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Russia’s hero, the church was named in his honor. In 1922, it was elevated to the status of cathedral, and what a stunning cathedral it is! Rather modest in appearance, it reveals all its grandeur when approached from Boulevard de Courcelles. You can’t miss its beautiful central fresco and its gilded domes. Three times a week, visitors can step inside to explore its rich interior decoration, characteristic of Orthodox churches: gilded details, frescoes, and ornately decorated apses featuring paintings by Alexei Bogolioubov, along with a magnificent .
Be sure to visit the crypt, as it functions as a distinct parish separate from the church itself, with Mass celebrated in French rather than in the local Slavic language. An interesting anecdote: it was in this church that Pablo Picasso married the Russian dancer Olga Khokhlova in 1918, in the presence of witnesses including Jean Cocteau, poet Max Jacob, and Guillaume Apollinaire!
You can’t miss these massive gilded domes as you stroll along the Seine, near the Quai Branly Museum. Recently inaugurated in 2016, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris serves as the episcopal seat of the Chersonese diocese. Designed by the renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, this Orthodox church is crowned with five grand bulbous steeples covered in 90,000 matte gold leaves. Its soaring Orthodox cross reaches over 36 meters in height, blending Byzantine and Russian styles into a striking architectural fusion.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Paris is part of a complex of buildings that make up the Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural center in Paris. This center includes two exhibition halls, a French-Russian school, an auditorium, and a café.
It's one of Paris's best-kept secrets. Nestled in the 19th arrondissement at 93 rue de Crimée, the Saint-Serge-de-Radonège Church stands apart from any other place of worship in the city. Originally built as a German Lutheran church, it was confiscated by the government during World War I and then auctioned off on July 18, 1924—Saint Serge of Radonège's feast day—when it was purchased by the Orthodox community of Paris, which has grown steadily since the Revolution of 1917.
Open for visitors during the Sunday service, as well as on other days of the week—if you're lucky enough to encounter someone willing to open the door—Saint-Serge-de-Radonège Church houses a wealth of treasures. Inside, you'll find an opulent, richly gilded style reminiscent of Russian neo-Gothic paintings by Dimitri Semionovitch Stelletsky, ancient books, and beautiful stained glass windows. Outside, don't miss the surprising colorful wooden porch, crafted in the style of a traditional izba, reflecting classic Russian rural architecture.
The unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church in Buttes-Chaumont: A hidden Parisian treasure
In the heart of Paris's Buttes-Chaumont district lies the unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church. Not visible from the street, in the 19th arrondissement, this church is an architectural nugget waiting to be discovered. [Read more]
Overlooking the Tudor-style houses of another surprising neighborhood called Little Alsace, the Little Russia is a collection of around twenty small workers' houses built... on the third floor of a building, atop a garage roof, in the 13th arrondissement.
Far from resembling traditional Russian izbas, this set of buildings actually derives its name from the original inhabitants of the area. These little houses were constructed in 1912 by a taxi company to house its drivers — most of whom were displaced White Russians fleeing their homeland after the 1917 Revolution. If you wish to explore this fascinating site, you'll need a bit of luck and the kindness of residents to gain access through the gate.
Opened in the 3rd arrondissement in 1952, just steps from the Place des Vosges, the Librairie du Globe is a beloved haven for lovers of Russian culture. From classic and contemporary books in Russian to works about Russia, travel guides, dictionaries, newspapers, as well as DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks, Russian culture is vividly alive here in all its forms—and a perfect place to expand your knowledge and deepen your appreciation.
Throughout the year, a wide array of events are hosted, from Russian language classes and lectures to conferences, debates, and seminars. There are also literary gatherings and readings, exhibitions, and concerts. Family-friendly activities and even a film club offer a chance to explore some of the finest treasures of Russian cinema.
Named after the Peterhof Palace built near Saint Petersburg by Czar Peter the Great to rival the Palace of Versailles, the Peterhof boutique has become a landmark in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. Its eye-catching display of beautiful, handcrafted matryoshka dolls—the iconic Russian nesting dolls that fit one inside another—immediately draws the attention of passersby.
Step through the gates of Peterhof, and you'll discover a wide array of authentic Russian traditional items—not just for décor and clothing but much more. Among Peterhof’s treasures, the famous nesting dolls, as previously mentioned, are a must-see. But you'll also find stunning icons, gilded eggs, jewelry, and cozy fur hats—all evocative of scenes from Doctor Zhivago.
In the Île-de-France region, specifically in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois in Essonne, the Russian cemetery opened its gates in 1927. As a true site of memory, it has since become the largest Russian cemetery abroad. Today, approximately 15,000 Russians or French nationals of Russian descent who came to France following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 are laid to rest here, across nearly 5,000 graves.
Set within a lush, pastoral landscape, amid towering pines and birch trees, the Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery is the resting place of several renowned figures from Russian arts and culture. Among them are filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, painter Serge Poliakoff, writer Sergueï Bulgakov, and Nobel laureate in Literature, Ivan Bounine.
For our final stop on this journey through Russian heritage, we head to Bougival in the Yvelines region to explore the Ivan Turgenev Museum. In 1874, the Russian author purchased this manor house for opera singer Pauline Viardot. After settling his family there, he had a traditional dacha built just steps from his main residence, where he lived until passing away on September 3, 1883. During his time there, he penned his major works, Fathers and Sons and Poems in Prose, and hosted numerous friends from the artistic world, including Émile Zola, Alphonse Daudet, and Henry James.
Since its transformation into a museum, this chalet inspired by both Swiss and Russian design now houses over 245 artifacts: rare manuscripts, engravings, sculptures, and paintings once owned by the writer. Visitors can also admire the original square piano-forte owned by Turgenev, played by Brahms in the past, which was designated a historic monument in 1990. On the museum’s first floor, two rooms from Ivan Turgenev’s apartment have been meticulously reconstructed—the study and bedroom.
Don’t forget to check out the Russian restaurants in Paris to enjoy hearty, traditional dishes that will warm you from the inside out!
The unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church in Buttes-Chaumont: A hidden Parisian treasure
