Church of Saint-Eugène-Sainte-Cécile, Paris
- ellen
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
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 the 9th arrondissement. The first stone was laid in 1854 and amazingly, the church was completed only 20 months later. In addition to being drawn to the beautiful stained glass, your eyes will be lifted by the vertical framework. It was the first church in France to be built entirely around an iron-framed construction which, although initially criticized, was later used in other churches.
The construction was entrusted to Abbé Coquand, an abbot who owned the land that the church is now on. Coquand wanted the interior to reflect design elements popular in the 13th century and it was he who suggested the iron construction to maximize the interior space due to its location on the small parcel of land.
The name was taken from Saint Eugène de Deuil-la-Barre, a contemporary of the martyred 3rd century Saint Denis. Sainte Cécile was the patron saint of musicians and in 1952 her name was added as a nod to the proximity of the church to the Paris Conservatory. Interestingly, bells were not incorporated into the original construction so as not to interfere with the lessons at the nearby Conservatory. Saint Eugène and Sainte Cécile are both represented in the church.
Interior
Notice how the thin, beautifully decorated columns give it a feeling of airiness and height.
The stained glass is stunning. These three windows are above the altar.
A unique element of this church are the 14 stained glass windows depicting the Stations of the Cross. It is believed that they are the only known example of the Stations of the Cross created in stained glass. Below are some of them.
The Rose Window is equally stunning.
The carvings and grillwork such as the pulpit are beautiful.
This is the baptismal font. Notice the intricate grillwork
The Chapel of the Virgin.
A few additional photos of this exquisite church.
➜ Top Tips
This church is only a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame de Lorette, another gem in the 9th arrondissement. Try to visit both!
The closest métro stations are Bonne Nouvelle and Grands Boulevards, (lines 8 and 9) both about five minutes away on foot.