TWOBOOMERSABROAD

Located in a somewhat rough and tumble suburb north of central Paris, Saint-Denis has a long and rich history. The story of Saint-Denis is long and complex. After all, it's a church, a museum and a necropolis all in one. The French name for it is Basilique cathédral Saint-Denis. So it's a basilica and a cathedral? I had to refresh my memory as to the difference, so I turned to Google. It says, "A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, serving as the seat of a b

This church has never been on my radar but I'm so glad to have discovered it thanks to a French friend who suggested I visit it. It couldn't be more of a contrast to most of the other churches in Paris. History Paris experienced a huge population growth during the second half of the 19th century, including in the 12th arrondissement where Saint-Esprit is located. The parcel of land that the church occupies was purchased in 1927 by Cardinal Louis-Ernest Dubois, Archbishop of

Walking along the relatively unassuming pedestrian passage in front of the church, passersby could easily dismiss it. But enter the church and you'll be struck by the beautiful stained glass and spacious interior. History The church was built by a decree of Emperor Napoleon III and dedicated to his wife, Empress Eugénie. It was meant to serve the growing population of the Faubourg Poissonnière district which at that time was just outside of Paris and which is now part of

Located on a busy corner in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is an imposing structure. Don't let the Neo Classical exterior put you off; enter the church and be awed by its beauty. History The current church replaced one just to the north built in the 17th century as the population of the neighborhood grew and required a larger place to worship. The original church was demolished and construction began on the current one in 1823 under the