2 weeks in France-5-26 to 6/8/2022

Paris, France-6/2/2022 to 6/8/2022

Church of Saint Gervais-Saint-Protais-6/8/2022

Church Saint-Gervais is a Roman Catholic parish located in the 4th arrondissement on Place Saint-Gervais. The church was dedicated to Saints Gervasius and Protasius, two Christian martyrs from Milan that were recorded as existing on the site in the 7th century, making it one of the first parish churches on the right bank in Paris. The church was consecrated in 1420, then enlarged from 1494 until about 1620. It was closed in 1793 and reopened in 1795 and shared between Catholics and theophilanthropists until the Concordat. Saint-Gervais was a parish church until 1975, when it became the headquarters of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.

Classified as a Historical Monument, it reveals a façade made by Salomon de Brosse  (1571–1626), whose other major Paris work was the Luxembourg Palace.. Damaged by a shell fire in 1918, it was restored several times in 1957, in 2000 and in 2013. Of overall Gothic appearance, however, it presents a facade inspired by French classicism.

Even though its style is definitely Gothic, the French classicism has inspired the creation of the facade, which was finished in 1621.

Red portal

The church contains remarkable examples of medieval carved choir stalls, stained glass from the 16th century, 17th century sculpture, and modern stained glass by Sylvie Gaudin and Claude Courageux.

View of the Nave from the main entrance.

The nave of the church (1600–1620) is notable for its dramatic height and the simplicity and purity of its lines. 

Nuns praying in the Nave.

The nave with beautiful stained glass windows. 

Stained glass windows in the nave.  On the right is the Wisdom of Solomon by Jean Chastellain (1533)

Closer view of the Wisdom of Solomon stained glass window .

Side ambulatory

The wooden choir stalls (16th–17th century), from the reigns of François I and Henri II

The church is best-known for employing the Couperin family, one of the most famous dynasties of French musicians for more than two centuries. The organ used by Louis and François Couperin still sits inside the church today, built by the most famous organ building family, the Clicquots.

Chapel on the south side.

The memorial to the victims of the German bombardment of église Saint-Gervais in 1918.

Abstract stained Glass to commemorate the victims of the German Bombardment by by Sylvie Gaudin and Claude Courageux.

Modern stained glass window in blue gold and green on the left.

Chapel of the Virgin in the east ambulatory is often used for silent meditation by church visitors

Chapel of the Virgin is beautifully decorated with its 2.5-m diameter pending keystone and especially the magnificent stained-glass window of Book of Wisdom. Dating from 1531 it’s in an incredible conservation status.

Sculpture of the Descent of the Christ from the cross.

Chapel of Saint Philomena

La Pieta sculpture in the center.

A painting by the Venetian artist Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734), Saint Gregory the Great and Saint Vital intercede for the souls in Pugatory, located in the Chapel of Saint Philomena. This was brought from Venice to Paris by Napoleon after his Italian campaign.

The golden chapel built in the first half of the 17th century. Opened exceptionally, it reveals a Louis XIII style decoration, including small panels representing the Passion and the Resurrection.

Golden Chapel.

Stained glass windows next to the exit.

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