[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

Histoire de Paris

Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Childebert, fils de Clovis, construit vers 543 uné basilique dediée à saint Vincent et à la sainte Croix: elle devient la nécropole des rois mérovingiens (chapelle Saint-Symphorien). Saint Germain, qui lui donne son nom, y est lui aussi inhumé en 576. Pillée par les Normands, l’église est l’éedifiée à partir de l’an mille; le clocher-porche en est le témoin. La construction est longue et apporte aux problèmes architecturaux des solutions nouvelles. La nef est achevée vers 1050. Le chœur en hémicycle est entouré d’un déambulatoire bordé par cinq chapelles rayonnantes yoûtées d’ogives (1163). Pierre de Montreuil ajoute à l’église en 1245 la chapelle de la Vierge et le cloître aujourd’hui disparus. L’abbaye bénédictine, sous la dépendance directe du pape, adopte en 1631 la règle de Saint-Maur; elle devient un centre fécond de recherches historiques grâce à ses érudits, tel Dom Mabillon. En 1790 l’abbaye est supprimée. Si les restaurations menées dans l’eglise au XIXe siècle ne furent pas toujours heureuses, son architecture est désormais remise en valeur.

One of the series of signs describing historical places in Paris. The signs were placed starting in 1992 and are also called sucettes Starck (Starck’s Lollipops) after Philippe Starck who designed them.

The sign depicts the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The Catholic Church was originally established in the 6th century AD, as a Benedictine monastery. In the 11th century it was rebuilt. The church is considered the oldest church in Paris.
The plaque mentions Childebert I who was king of France from 511 to 558 AD. that up to this period the history of the church reaches

The church was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image
and several months earlier Click for a larger image Click for a larger image


The church is designated a historical heritage site of France, as can be seen on the following sign Click for sign's details

Translation of the text on the sign:

[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

History of Paris

Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Childebert, son of Clovis, built around 543 a basilica dedicated to Saint Vincent and the Holy Cross: it became the necropolis of the Merovingian kings (Saint-Symphorien chapel). Saint Germain, who gives it his name, was also buried there in 576. Looted by the Normans, the church was built from the year 1000; the bell tower-porch bears witness to this. The construction is long and provides new solutions to architectural problems. The nave was completed around 1050. The semicircular choir is surrounded by an ambulatory bordered by five radiating chapels with ribbed vaults (1163). Pierre de Montreuil added to the church in 1245 the chapel of the Virgin and the cloister, which have now disappeared. The Benedictine abbey, under the direct dependence of the pope, adopted the rule of Saint-Maur in 1631; it became a fruitful center of historical research thanks to its scholars, such as Dom Mabillon. In 1790 the abbey was abolished. If the restorations carried out in the church in the 19th century were not always successful, its architecture has now been enhanced.