Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois

The basics

Despite the church’s central location, the Église Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois is often overlooked by tourists in favor of Paris’ headline sights. However, it is easy to pop inside the church before or after a visit to the Louvre Museum, to see its vaulted ceilings and its collection of 16th and 17th century artworks. The church also hosts regular Mass prayers, which are generally held in the evening, except the Sunday morning service. The church is also an intimate venue for classical music performances.

Things to know before you go

• This is an active place of worship, so speak quietly while inside and behave respectfully.

• As this is a church, modest attire is expected: cover shoulders, knees, and chests, and remove hats before entering.

• You may want to read up on the church’s history ahead of your visit. Otherwise, consider visiting with a customizable tour that lets you add a stop here.

• Pay attention to the bell tower, as bells played a macabre role here during a dark chapter of French history: They rang out on St. Bartholomew’s Day in 1572, marking the beginning of a Catholic-led massacre against the Huguenots.

How to get there

The Église Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois can be easily reached by public transportation. You can either take Metro Line 1 and get off at Louvre–Rivoli, or Line 7 to Pont Neuf; from there, it’s just a short walk to the church. The church is within walking distance of many central Paris hotels, especially those within the 1st arrondissement.

When to get there

The Église Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois is open Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed every Monday. Opening hours are typically from mid-morning until early evening. Guided visits led by volunteers are generally offered on Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 2:30pm until 5:30pm.

Eglise Saint-Germain l’Auxerois’s hodge podge of architectural styles

The first thing you’re likely to notice about the Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is its diverse architectural influences. While worshipping at this site dates back to the seventh century, the church itself has been demolished and rebuilt numerous times. All that remains of its earliest structure is the base of the bell tower, which is Romanesque. Added to that are many later embellishments, including stained glass windows from the 16th century and Gothic features.