To the people who created these cathedrals, the building process was not just a construction project but a labor of devotion and religious fervor. Gothic cathedrals were predominantly built during the medieval period, particularly from the 12th to the 16th centuries. They were commissioned by the Church, and the construction often spanned several generations, meaning that many of the workers who began the construction wouldn't live to see its completion. This reflects the commitment and dedication of both the builders and the community that supported the projects. Additionally, cathedrals served as pilgrimage destinations, attracting thousands of pilgrims from various regions, which, in turn, brought economic prosperity to the surrounding areas. Flights and Trains – I know everyone recommends SkyScanner…but I’ve never loved it. I simply use Google Flights for most of my searches and set alerts for routes I’m interested in to nab cheap flights. I learned so much that this was like reading a textbook but without exam anxiety and with added asides of secular history and humor thrown in. The Église du Dôme, situated within the breathtaking complex of Les Invalides in Paris, is not a place of worship or “church” per sé, but stands as an architectural marvel and a poignant tribute to the legacy of France’s military history.

Apply for the American Express Platinum Card here and for a limitied time get 80,000 bonus points (that’s easily enough for a round-trip flight to Europe from the USA!) on signup. Les Invalides was originally a complex of buildings built as a military hospital and retirement home for war veterans. The cathedral is renowned for its Gothic architecture, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and towering spires setting the stage for the evolution of European religious architecture. So infectious is R. Howard Bloch’s passion for his subject that even those unable to do the traveling required will find in Paris and Her Cathedrals an inspiring guide to these time-hallowed masterpieces of medieval culture.” —Colin Jones, author of Paris and The Great Nation The altarpiece is a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture, depicting scenes from the life of St. Paul. The church also houses several important paintings, including works by renowned artists such as Charles Le Brun and Jean-Baptiste de Champaigne.For history readers, travelers, and scholars alike, an indispensable behind-the-scenes guide to the great cathedrals of Paris. Being inside a Gothic cathedral is an awe-inspiring experience that evokes a sense of grandeur, spirituality, and wonder. I will never forget the first time I stood inside Notre Dame de Paris, Saint Chappelle, Chartres. The soaring height of the ceilings, intricate ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and expansive stained glass windows created a mystical atmosphere. Over the years, R. Howard Bloch has become renowned for the insider tours of Paris that he gives to students abroad. Long sought after by travelers and history buffs for his near-encyclopedic knowledge of French cathedrals, the eminent French literature scholar finally shares his expertise with a wider audience. It was destroyed by the Vikings, rebuilt, and renamed in the 8th century for Saint Germain. Burials of French Kings and Queens eventually moved to the Basilica of Saint-Denis, far from the marauders who came along the Seine river. Gothic cathedrals were also regarded as "bibles for the educating the masses." In an era when illiteracy was widespread, the elaborate stone carvings, sculptures, and stained glass windows served as a visual representation of biblical stories and religious teachings. These artistic elements functioned as a means of education, helping the clergy communicate the teachings of the Church to the common people in a language they could understand, regardless of their ability to read or write.

Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés eventually became a center for learning, having been located right next to the Latin quarter near La Sorbonne. Under royal patronage the Abbey became one of the most important centers of scholarship in Europe. The Église Saint-Augustin (Saint-Augustin Church) is a Catholic church located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. Construction of the church began in 1860 and was completed in 1871.

In September 1792, during the French Revolution, a group of about 100 priests were imprisoned in the Abbey. They had refused to sign a declaration of loyalty to the new Revolutionary government and were sent out 1 by 1 into the square where they were massacred. Saint-Clotilde Basilica is built in the Neo-Gothic style. The façade features detailed sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Saint Clotilde and other religious figures. The interior of the basilica is equally impressive, with a nave flanked by side aisles, rose windows, and a magnificent apse. 13. Saint-Augustin Church The facade of Saint-Augustin Church in Paris Beyond its architecture, the real treasure of Saint-Denis Cathedral is its rich history. Saint-Denis has served as the final resting place for numerous French monarchs, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The Basilica of Sacré-Cœuris unique amongst the churches in Paris because it is the only true Basilica. Second only to Notre-Dame in popularity, Sacre Coeur Basilica is an icon in its own right, perched at the highest point in Paris’s famous arts district: Montmartre. You’ll recognize it as you walk up to it by its mismatched towers that end in round turrets instead of spires. Eglise Saint-Sulpiceis the second largest church in Paris, after Notre-Dame.

It is dedicated to Saint Clotilde, the queen of the Franks and wife of King Clovis I. The basilica’s construction began in 1846 during the reign of King Louis-Philippe, and it was completed in 1857. One of the coolest features of the church is its square bell tower, which stands apart from the main building. This tower was originally used as a defensive structure, as well as for housing the church bells. Where Sainte-Clotilde above is a Neo-Gothic Church, Saint-Augustin is built in the Neo-Renaissance architectural style, which draws inspiration from the Italian Renaissance. The church’s design features a symmetrical façade with a central dome and two tall bell towers flanking it.The Roman temple was eventually replaced by a Church to Saint Etienne. Construction of the current cathedral dedicated to Mother Mary began in 1163 AD and thehigh altarwas consecrated on 19 May 1182. It was the golden age of cathedrals, when several other historic cathedrals were built across France. This present church building was actually begun as a temple by Napoleon Bonaparte to honor the French navy.Only later was it consecrated as a church. So infectious is R. Howard Bloch’s passion for his subject that even those unable to do the traveling required will find in Paris and Her Cathedrals an inspiring guide to these time-hallowed masterpieces of medieval culture.” —Colin Jones, author of Paris and The Great Nation

In Paris and Her Cathedrals , six of the most sublime cathedrals in the penumbra of Paris—Saint-Denis, Notre-Dame, Chartres, Sainte-Chapelle, Amiens, Reims—are illumined in magnificent detail as Bloch, taking us from the High Middle Ages to the devastating fire that set Notre-Dame ablaze in 2019, traces the evolution of each in turn. Written from the premise that “seeing is enhanced by knowing,” each chapter is organized along the lines of a walk around and then through the space of the cathedral, such that the actual or virtual visitor feels the rich sweep of the church, “the essence of these architectural wonders” (Antonia Felix). Eminent French literature professor R. Howard Bloch has become renowned for his insider tours of Paris, given to college students abroad. Long sought after for his encyclopaedic knowledge of French cathedrals, Bloch has at last decided to share his intimate knowledge with a wider audience. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis isn’t technically inParis, but is located just north of Paris, France. It’s one of the best cathedrals in Paris to visit if you are interested in French history!The chapel is built in a high Gothic style – making it feel high and sweeping! It is truly one of the finest religious buildings you will ever visit – a church in Paris no one can miss. Montmartre’s icon, Sacre Coeur is one of the most iconic churches in Paris 4. Montmartre Basilica in Paris Architecturally, Saint-François-Xavier Church is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Paris and represents the Neo-Gothic revival movement that sought to recreate the aesthetics of medieval architecture. During the 19th century in Paris there was a strong desire to return to historical architecture and aesthetics, and Saint-François-Xavier and Sainte-Clotilde both epitomize this era. The Panthéon in Paris was originally intended to be a temple dedicated to Saint Genevieve who lived in the 5th century, at the time of the Roman Empire. One of the best things to do in the Sacré-Cœur Basilica is to climb the bell tower for the most incredible view of Paris imaginable! During the French Revolution, Saint-Germain-des-Près suffered damage and looting, like many other religious institutions in France. However, it managed to survive and was later restored.