Paris and Her Cathedrals

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L’église Saint-François-Xavier (Saint-François-Xavier Church) is a Roman Catholic church in Paris located in the 7th arrondissement. The entire church was built in the 19th century. It is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in Asia during the 16th century. 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 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 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. 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). Animating the past with lush evocations of architectural splendor–from flying buttresses and jewel-encrusted shrines to hidden burial grounds and secret chambers–Bloch then contextualizes the cathedrals within the annals of French history. Here thrilling tales of kingly intrigue–as in Saint-Chapelle, where the pious King Louis IX amassed relics, including Christ’s crown of thorns–and audacious abbots are interspersed with anecdotes about the meeting of aristocratic and everyday life, culminating in “a rich, colorful narrative that clearly but expertly explains the history and symbolism of some of the world’s most magnificent buildings” (Ross King). To be read in preparation for an enlightened visit or merely to open a window upon the High Middle Ages in France, Paris and Her Cathedrals is a “revelation,” an “indispensable guide” (Garry Wills) to these awe-inspiring structures. Complete with the author’s own photographs, this beautifully illustrated volume vitally enhances our understanding of the history of Paris and its environs. Paris and Her Cathedrals by R. Howard Bloch – eBook Details At the time, the Roman empire was gradually decreasing in influence due to the increasing Frankish invasions (a Germanic tribe). In 451 AD, Paris was threatened by the army of Attila the Hun, which had pillaged Treves, Metz and Reims.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. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette: The last Bourbon monarchs of France, executed during the French Revolution. 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). Credit Cards – I am a big fan of the American Expresss Platinum Card and have used them for over 6 years now. It offers 5x points on all flights (any airline!) and hotels booked through Amex Travel, built-in travel insurance, access to the biggest network of airport lounges – it’s a no-brainer despite the annual fee!

Like other churches on this list, Saint-Augustin is particularly known for its grand organ, which was built by the famous organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. The beautiful ceiling preserved at the Cluny Museum in Paris is wonderful for church lovers. The Cluny Museumin Paris: French Medeival Art and ArchitectureThe 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.

Animating the past with lush evocations of architectural splendour—from flying buttresses and jewel-encrusted shrines to hidden burial grounds and secret chambers—Bloch then contextualises the cathedrals within the annals of French history. Here thrilling tales of kingly intrigue—as in Saint-Chapelle, where the pious King Louis IX amassed relics, including Christ’s crown of thorns—and audacious abbots are interspersed with anecdotes about the meeting of aristocratic and everyday life, culminating in “a rich, colourful narrative that clearly but expertly explains the history and symbolism of some of the world’s most magnificent buildings” (Ross King). 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 Cathedralsan inspiring guide to these time-hallowed masterpieces of medieval culture.”—Colin Jones, author of Paris and The Great Nation During the French Revolution, the neighboring Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève was largely demolished, and the church was spared from destruction due to its integration into the new Panthéon building as a symbolic gesture.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.