Saint-Séverin, not removed from our accommodations, dates from the fifteenth century, however its unimaginable story goes way back to the seventh century, with the dying of a hermit known as… Séverin! The constructing went on to be demolished by Vikings, reconstructed, and partially destroyed once more by hearth (and that’s solely half the story). It’s now the oldest surviving church on the Left Financial institution of Paris.
We went all the way down to see this superb constructing and discover its historical past…
There are nearly 200 church buildings in Paris, however not all of them have the lengthy and turbulent historical past of Saint-Séverin. Initially a basilica erected on the spot used for prayer by a hermit known as Séverin within the seventh century, the church was destroyed by the Vikings within the ninth century, then reconstructed between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, solely to be partially destroyed (once more!) by hearth in 1448.
Over the next centuries, the constructing was modified quite a few instances (for instance, a number of chapels had been added), and after a few years of being tightly penned in by neighbouring streets and buildings, these had been finally destroyed in 1907 to disclose the total great thing about the stonework.
The final change to the constructing appears to be some new stained glass home windows put in within the early Nineteen Seventies, however – unsurprisingly – the constructing requires infinite work and nearly fixed renovation, particularly on the work within the chapels, which have change into engrained with filth and dangerously broken by humidity.
After having restored the lateral chapels of Sainte-Geneviève and Saint-Jean (each of which have work by Hippolyte Flandrin, one in all Ingres’ most gifted college students) in spring 2022, the newest restoration of the chapel of Saint-Séverin (each the inside and exterior) began final October, with a correct clear of the up to date stained glass home windows by Jean Bazaine persevering with all through early 2023.
All these restoration initiatives have bee attainable by means of donations, and you can also contribute by clicking this hyperlink.
The doorway to the church (right here) is just a little hidden within the pedestrian streets of Saint-Michel, nevertheless it’s value searching for out, as its historical past and inside are distinctive. Quickly, with additional restoration, it will likely be much more spectacular!
Try our images, and make sure you go down and take a look the subsequent time you keep at one in all our accommodations!
The church of Saint-Séverin (right here) is open Monday-Saturday from 9.30am-7.30pm (closed for lunch from 1-2pm) and Sundays from 9am-8pm (closed for lunch from 1-3pm)
Assist the restoration of the church right here
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