Eglise
Saint-Gervais
Place Saint-Gervais, 75004 Paris
The Saint-Gervais Church sheltered one of
the most famous dynasties of French musicians during more than two
centuries since 1653: Couperin family. On the side of the church
still remains the house of the famous harpsichordists, organists and
composers as well as a plate commemorating their address (see photo
with blue door at the end of the page, below). The prestigious
organ of Louis and François Couperin exists still today inside
the Church. Built by the most famous factors of the time of which
Clicquot, it is perfectly representative of the French baroque
school. This church is one of oldest of Paris. Its
existence is mentioned at this place starting from VIth century.
Formerly seat of the powerful brotherhood of the wine merchants, it
takes its today appearance starting from XVIth century.
Its frontage will be completed much later, about 1620, testifying to a
perfect control of traditional esthetics. Sad anecdote, March 29,
1918, a German shell fell on the roof of the Church, killing a
hundred people. The place which is spread out in front of the
staircases of the church was for a long time called "Crossroads of the
Elm" bus since the Middle Ages a worthy elm, several times centennial,
was rising in its center. The inhabitants neighborhood were
accustomed to finding themselves there to exchange money. Several
pictures of this legendary elm still
remain, in the stalls of the Church and on some close buildings.
The side of the church is skirted by the street François Miron
which preserves two of the oldest medieval houses of Paris, with
numbers 11 and 13: Houses with the ensign of Faucheur and the
ensign of the Sheep. They would date from XIVth
century. One can see their structure of wood discovered, which was
prohibited at the time due to diffusion of
fire.
All pictures copyright
Parisbestlodge. Free photographies available in high resolution upon
request.
