Recommendations?
I wandered into ST Eustache and was mesmorized,, its huge,, in fact it also houses the largest pipe organ in France! Its in the first near Chatelet.
Its never crowded so its amazing to be able to enjoy the quiet of it,, its a huge huge gothic church.
If you are Catholic, you may appreciate the Chapel of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Rue de Bac. The chapel itself is not the reason to visit, but the story behind the apparition and the receiving of the Miraculous Medal.
I think Sainte-Chapelle is the big must-see. Daytime for the brilliant stained glass, and in the evening for a concert. Awfully fond of Saint Sulpice too, and the Daniel Roth organ concerts. So many gorgeous churches.
St. Chapelle (very close to Notre Dame) is fantastic. The stained glass is beautiful, so a day with sun is recommended for the full effect.
If you're a fan of The Da Vinci Code, you might enjoy Saint-Sulpice, where part of the story was filmed.
Well Sacre Coeur is definitely NOT one of my favorite churches in Paris but I digress... San Chapelle for sure is one of the BEST in Europe. Ste. Denis is very famous and the not-so-final resting place of French royalty. It's in a nearby suburb. An easy daytrip is to Chartres for one of the most intact cathedrals in Europe, including its stained glass.
I second Douglas all around: St. Denis in St. Denis. And Sacre Coeur is more interesting to look at from a distance than inside. Recently, someone posted that much of Chartres is under renovation, however.
Pat, Thanks for the great tip about St. Eustache. It looks amazing from the photos. Dina, Yes, I'm Catholic, and we will be staying less than a five minute walk from the chapel. We definitely plan to visit there. Dale, Douglas and Andrea, Ste. Chapelle should have been in the list along with ND and Sacre Coeur. How could I have forgotten? Dale and Tom, I'm not so sure about St. Sulpice, since I'm not a fan of organ music. Douglas,
I'll check out St. Denis. Any others, anyone?
Ste-Chappelle, St-Germain on the left bank, St-Denis, Chartres if you're looking out of town (Reims too for that matter), Ste-Etienne-du-Mont in the Latin Quarter, Madeleine (not Gothic), St-Sulpice (not just for the organ). I agree about Sacre-Coeur, better on the outside than inside, and of course great neighborhood. There's a nice little church next to it, off Place du Tertre, but I forget the name.
Sacre Couer should be on your list. Great view from its steps over paris, the direct neighbourhood is charmoing- and The rose window is worth the visit.
Sainte Chapelle most definitely! They often have small concerts in there, it was magical to be there for an intimate concert at night, even though you can't appreciate the beauty of the stained glass. I was not impressed by Sacre Coeur, and instead really liked a little church right around the corner from it. I'm forgetting the name, but if you have the Rick Steves Paris, it was on the Montmartre walk.
Bless me father for I have sinned. Catholic and loved Saint-Severin in the Latin Quarter. Gothic. Gargoyles. 13th Century Bell Tower. Gorgeous Stained Glass. Still open for services. This link is helpful: http://www.francetravelplanner.com/go/paris/churches/more_churches.html
Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.
I will be in Paris next month for the first time in 10 years. Sainte Chapelle is the only church on my must-see-again list. One note, St. Denis is reachable by the Paris metro and it is the original gothic church. It's worth the trip.
The church just behind Sacre Coeur is St. Pierre de Montmartre. It has a few old Roman columns inside. St. Etienne du Mont in the Latin Quarter next to the Pantheon has a beautiful rood screen. The steps outside of the church are the ones that Owen Wilson sat on in Midnight in Paris. I tried to get transported back in time but no luck.
Great suggestions-I will add St Merri and St Severin to the list. St Etienne, I think, has the tomb of St Genevieve-the church near the Pantheon? St Denis is well worth the metro ride out. Have a great trip!