Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre visitor guide

Visit Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Paris

The Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre is quite a small church a short distance south of the Cathedral Notre-Dame (on the south side of the river), on Rue Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.

Discover the Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre

France This Way review: although it is quite a small church, and quite unremarkable from the outside, the Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre has an interesting interior with several items of interest, and a long past as part of the city of Paris, so while it is not an unmissable highlight in Paris, it merits a visit as you are passing

Nave of the Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre

Originally a chapel stood in this location, which by the 11th century was at the crossroads of two important trade routes. The chapel was given to the Notre-Dame chapter by King Henry 1 in 1045, at which time it was already in ruins.

By the early 12th century it had fallen under the ownership of the Abbey of Longpont, who used it as a priory. At this time it played an important role in the intellectual life of this area of Paris, and University meetings took place here until the early 16th century, when it was ransacked in 1524.

By the 17th century the Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre had again fallen largely to ruins, and was partly demolished and partly rebuilt. Following the Revolution the church lost its religious use and was used as a salt warehouse, until it regained its religious function in 1826. Since 1889 the church has been affiliated with the Greek Byzantine catholic church.

The long history of the church explains why you can can see several different elements of architecture, which is predominantly Romanesque and gothic in style. The interior is rather somber but also quite peaceful, especially if you are looking for a religious experience somewhere quiet after visiting the Cathedral Notre-Dame.

It is because of the affiliation with the Greek church that you can see the iconostasis in the church - this is a wall of icons and religious paintings found in Greek churches between the nave and the choir areas. In the Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre this was added around 1900, and is a very dominant feature, with various religious paintings to admire.

Altar of the Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre

Attractions nearby

The Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre is on the edge of the Square René Viviani, a small park with views of the Cathedral Notre-Dame.

The famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop is also very close to the church, and the Church Saint-Séverin is just across the road from here.

See more churches in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

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Map of Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre and places nearby

Places to visit near Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre

Square René Viviani

The Square René-Viviani in the centre of Paris has views of Notre-Dame and the oldest tree in Paris

Square René Viviani guide

Shakespeare and Company

Shakespeare and Company is a historic bookshop and literary centre in the 5th arrondissement

Shakespeare and Company guide

Church Saint-Severin

The Church Saint-Severin is the oldest church south of the river in Paris, and features flamboyant gothic architecture and stained glass windows

Church Saint-Severin guide

Notre Dame cathedral

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, on an island in the Seine River, is one of the most remarkable gothic cathedrals in the world

Notre Dame cathedral guide

Cluny Museum

Cluny Museum is a museum of medieval and religious art in the 5th arrondissement of Paris

Cluny Museum guide

Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle, on the Ile de la Cité in Paris, is an important gothic chapel with remarkable stained glass windows

Sainte-Chapelle guide

The French version of this page is at Church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (Francais)