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Evensong performances at Notre Dame

I’ll be in Paris at the end of October and I’m wondering if there are evensong performances at Notre Dame. Or any choral performances, really. I’ve tried looking on the church’s website but my French is lacking. If not at Notre Dame, any other standout churches offering such goodness?

Posted by
9232 posts

Notre Dame is a CatholIc Cathedral. Evensong is not a part of the Catholic Church. It’s more of a part of the Anglican Church. That’s why it’s often found in the U.K.

Not sure why you aren’t getting an English option on the
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/visites-2/ Website.

I clicked it and got the option of English or French.

Posted by
165 posts

Sacre Coeur has evening concerts 1 or 2 nights a week. Listening to almost anything in that magnificent location is worth it. I don't know about Notre Dame, but there are also organ concerts at other cathedrals. Have fun sue

Posted by
14745 posts

Actually, I think Evensong is the Anglican liturgical tradition rather than the Roman Catholic tradition which would be followed at Notre Dame. There might be something perhaps called Vespers or named after what was the last service of the day for monks- Compline.

I know there is often an organ concert at Saint-Sulpice after the 11A service on Sundays so that might be of interest even though it's not choral.

Posted by
15 posts

Ahhh.... thank you, everyone. Clearly my ignorance of Catholicism is showing, and indeed, I’m only remembering similar experiences during trips to the great cathedrals — of England. We’ll keep our ears to the ground though and hopefully hit something magical during our visit.

Posted by
14745 posts

My best suggestion for finding concerts (If you don't want to search thru church websites) is to look at the bulletin boards either just outside the entrance or in the Narthex/foyer area. Sometimes they are right inside the front door. There is one church in the Latin Quarter (sorry, can't remember the name but it's just a few blocks from Notre Dame has concert posters posted on the railings alongside the church.

Posted by
10633 posts

Here is where you can find a listing of every concert in Paris, published a week at a time. Some are free taking place in churches, some are religious, some require tickets. https://www.offi.fr/ Just click on concerts. If you can't decipher the French, hopefully Google Translate can help.

Posted by
165 posts

When I suggested a church for a concert I wrote Sacre Coeur by mistake - I meant Sainte Chappelle - don't miss it sue

Posted by
129 posts

I attended an evening concert at Notre Dame a few years ago which was amazing, especially seeing the sun set behind the rose windows! That concert was London’s Parliamentary Choir. Screening at the entrance included a passport check which I hadn’t noticed on the ticket so heads up if you attend.