In Paris there is a cathedral or church in every center square. Some go back hundreds of years. I think they are the world's treasures and I visit every one I come across. They were always constructed with the best materials available. Love the details in the glass, high ceilings, statues, paintings and architectural elements. Today I am showing a side chamber and the front of a Catholic church, Saint Gervais et Saint Protais in the 4th at 13 Rue des Barres.
The angels here are particularly wonderful. Love the folds in the marble of the angel's dress on the left.
Here is the exterior and what Wikipedia says about the church.
This church is one of the oldest in Paris. Its existence at this place is mentioned as early as the fourth century. Dedicated to Gervasius and Protasius, the church was formerly the seat of the powerful brotherhood of wine merchants. It assumed its present appearance in the 16th century. Its façade was completed much later, however, about 1620.
The present church was begun in the Gothic style in 1494, the chapels of the apse were finished in 1530 and the transept in 1578. The doorway of the church was built in 1616–1620 by Claude Monnard in the classical style. Between 1600 and 1628, a second row of chapels was built on the north side including the golden chapel ornamented with painted woodwork.
The facade presents an exceptional feature, with columns of the 3 orders : Doric at the ground floor, Ionic at the second floor, Corinthian at the third floor.
The church was refurbished to coincide with Pope John Paul II's second visit to Paris with the continued installation of a number of new stained glass windows (Claude Courageux, earlier work by Sylvie Gaudin.
Summer
Photo: Swede
