The Church of St Germain the Auxerrois

On the right bank of the Seine, opposite the majestic Louvre colonnade in Paris' 1st arrondissement, stands the majestic Church of St Germain the Auxerrois, one of the oldest parishes in the capital. Served by the Louvre-Rivoli and Pont Neufmetro stations, it is a superb example of religious architecture at the heart of the city of Paris. Built between the 12th and 15th century, today the church offers lovers of religious heritage a magnificent porch with five bays in the flamboyant Gothic style, a Renaissance portal, and a Romanesque bell tower. Inside, visitors can admire many treasures, such as the 16th-century Flemish altarpiece, old stained glass windows, and the beautiful statue of St Mary of Egypt. In the old days, the church was the parish of the Kings of France. The church of St Germain the Auxerrois also owes its fame to a tragic episode of the wars of religion. On 24 August 1572, its bells were rung to announce the start of the St Bartholomew's Day massacre…