Saint-Médard, Paris, is a

Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

church located at 105 Rue Mouffetard in the

5th arrondissement of Paris The 5th arrondissement of Paris (''Ve arrondissement'') is one of the 20 Arrondissements of Paris, arrondissements of Paris, the capital city of France. In spoken French, this arrondissement is referred to as ''le cinquième''. The arrondisseme ...

. It takes its name from Saint Medard, the bishop of

Noyon Noyon (; ; , Noviomagus of the Viromandui, Veromandui, then ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Oise Departments of France, department, Northern France. Geography Noyon lies on the river Oise (river), Oise, about northeast of Paris. The ...

in northern France, who was protector of Queen

Radegund Radegund (; also spelled ''Rhadegund, Radegonde, or Radigund''; 520 – 13 August 587) was a Thuringian princess and Frankish queen, who founded the Abbey of the Holy Cross at Poitiers. She is the patroness saint of several churches in Franc ...

, and helped her found a convent at

to escape her abusive husband, King

Chlothar I Chlothar I, sometime called "the Old" (French: le Vieux), (died December 561) also anglicised as Clotaire from the original French version, was a king of the Franks of the Merovingian dynasty and one of the four sons of Clovis I. With his eldes ...

. Medard is the patron saint of French farmers.Dumoulin, Aline. 'Eglises de Paris", (2010) pp. 96–99.

History

Early Christian tombs from the

Merovingian The Merovingian dynasty () was the ruling family of the Franks from around the middle of the 5th century until Pepin the Short in 751. They first appear as "Kings of the Franks" in the Roman army of northern Gaul. By 509 they had united all the ...

period were found by archeologists a few meters from the present church. The cemetery was probably connected with an early oratory from the sixth or seventh century. In the ninth century, following the Norman invasions, there was a chapel dedicated to Saint Medard, close to the route of the Roman road which connected Roman

Lutetia Lutetia, ( , ; ) also known as and ( ; ; ), was a Gallo-Roman culture, Gallo–Roman town and the predecessor of modern-day Paris. Traces of an earlier Neolithic settlement () have been found nearby, and a larger settlement was established ...

with

Lyon Lyon (Franco-Provençal: ''Liyon'') is a city in France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of the French Alps, southeast of Paris, north of Marseille, southwest of Geneva, Switzerland, north ...

, near the point where the road crossed the Bievre River. The existence of this church, whose parish was later attached to the

Abbey of Saint Genevieve The Abbey of Saint Genevieve (French: ''Abbaye Sainte-Geneviève'') was a monastery in Paris. Reportedly built by Clovis I, Clovis, King of the Franks in 502, it became a centre of religious scholarship in the Middle Ages. It was suppressed at the ...

, is documented in a papal bull in 1163 from

Pope Alexander III Pope Alexander III (c. 1100/1105 – 30 August 1181), born Roland (), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 September 1159 until his death in 1181. A native of Siena, Alexander became pope after a Papal election, ...

. Construction of the present church took place from the early or middle of the 15th century until the 18th century. The work was interrupted by the

Wars of Religion A religious war or a war of religion, sometimes also known as a holy war (), is a war and conflict which is primarily caused or justified by differences in religion and beliefs. In the modern period, there are frequent debates over the extent ...

. In December 1561, the church was the scene of a dispute between Protestants and Catholics which led to the pillage of the church by the Protestants. In 1655, the church was placed directly under the Archbishop of Paris, but kept a close relationship with the nearby Abbey of Saint-Genevieve. In 1683 it became a parish church, within the jurisdiction of the Abbot of Saint-Genevieve. In 1724, the faubourg Sant-Marcel was integrated into the growing city of Paris."Église Saint-Medard à Paris", patrimoine-histoire.fr
/ref> In the 18th century the church came under the influence of a more radical group of clerics known as the

Convulsionnaires of Saint-Médard The Convulsionnaires (or Convulsionaries) of Saint-Médard was a group of 18th-century French religious pilgrims who exhibited convulsions and later constituted a religious sect and a political movement. This practice originated at the tomb of F ...

. The Convulsionnaires believed that going into a trance and having convulsions could cure illnesses, and was a valid expression of Christian faith. The church was also frequented by the

Jansenists Jansenism was a 17th- and 18th-century theological movement within Roman Catholicism, primarily active in France, which arose as an attempt to reconcile the theological concepts of free will and divine grace in response to certain development ...

who also expressed non-traditional Catholic doctrines. Prominent Jansenists connected with Saint-Medard included the philosopher-mathematician

Blaise Pascal Blaise Pascal (19June 162319August 1662) was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, and Catholic Church, Catholic writer. Pascal was a child prodigy who was educated by his father, a tax collector in Rouen. His earliest ...

. the theologian

Pierre Nicole Pierre Nicole (; 19 October 1625 – 16 November 1695) was a French writer and one of the most distinguished of the French Jansenists. Life Born in Chartres in 1625, Nicole was the son of a provincial barrister, who took in charge his education ...

, and another leading Jansenist theologian, François de Pâris, who was buried in the church cemetery. Followers of the Jansenists and Convulsionnairers met secretly in the cemetery at his grave. The Pope declared Jansenism a

heresy Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, particularly the accepted beliefs or religious law of a religious organization. A heretic is a proponent of heresy. Heresy in Heresy in Christian ...

, and issued a decree forbidding access to the cemetery. Convulsionnaires were arrested and imprisoned in the

Bastille The Bastille (, ) was a fortress in Paris, known as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in the internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France. It was stormed by a ...

. In 1784, an ambitious new building program began, under the architect Petit-Radel. The choir was modified and a new axial chapel was added to the apse at the east end. During the French Revolution, the clergy of church were required to take an oath to the civil Constitution, which they did, but, in November 1793, as the Revolution became more radical, the church was shut down by the government. In 1798 it re-opened in a new form as a Constitutional church, with the clergy taking an oath to the government as well as the church. The building was shared between the Catholics and a congregation of revolutionary Christians called Theophilanthropes. They was soon replaced by another Revolutionary church called the Decadire, or Constitutional Catholics. The week was modified from seven to ten days, and on each tenth day it became a Temple of Labor. In 1801, when Napoleon signed a Concordat with the Pope at Notre-Dame, the church was finally restored to the Catholic Church. File:Plan de Paris vers 1550 St-Medart Bievre.jpg, The church on the map of Paris (1550) File:Eglise Saint Médard à Paris, Aquarelle signée par Isidore Laurent Deroy (1797-1886).jpg, The church in the mid-19th century, by Isidore Deroy File:Eugène Atget, Place Saint-Médard, 1898-1900 - Getty Museum.jpg, The church in 1898–1900, by

Eugene Atget Eugene may refer to: People and fictional characters * Eugene (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Gene Eugene, stage name of Canadian born actor, record producer, engineer, composer and mus ...

Exterior

The exterior is a somewhat awkward collection of architecture; the flying buttresses are supported by very massive abutments, but do not align with the chapels alongside the church, indicating that the chapels were built afterwards. The sides of the church are lined by rows of trees, and the building is difficult to see except in winter. The west front, facing

rue Mouffetard Rue Mouffetard () is a street in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. Description Rue Mouffetard is one of Paris's oldest and liveliest neighbourhoods. These days the area has many restaurants, shops, and cafés, and a regular open market. I ...

, features a large bay filled with a large

Flamboyant Gothic Flamboyant () is a lavishly-decorated style of Gothic architecture that appeared in France and Spain in the 15th century, and lasted until the mid-sixteenth century and the beginning of the Renaissance.Encyclopedia Britannica, "Flamboyant style ...

window, flanked by Flamboyant pinnacles, dating the upper facade to the 15th century. However, the lower part of the facade, rebuilt in the 18th century and again in the 19th century, has no decoration or architectural distinction. Some architectural historians believe that the original facade resembled that of Saint-Nicolas-des Champs in the 3rd arrondissement. File:Eglise Saint-Medard, Paris 24 April 2012.jpg, The west front, with Flamboyant window and decoration File:P1070297 Paris V église Saint-Médard rwk.JPG, South side of the church, hidden by trees

The plan and the interior

The nave and the western front were built in the middle of the 15th century. The west front was extensively changed in the 18th and 19th century, and the lower portions were entirely redesigned. The choir, the portion of church at the east end where the clergy worships, was constructed between 1562 and 1620. The Chapel of the Virgin, the axial chapel at the east end of the church, was added in 1784. File:F0682 Paris V eglise St-Medard plan rwk.jpg, Plan of the church, showing the periods of construction File:P1000888 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard Choeur reductwk.JPG, The choir, with its wooden vaults File:Dedicace église Saint Médard 11 septembre 2011.jpg, Dedication of new altar by André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris (September 11, 2011)

The nave, and the choir

The periods of construction are visible in the different styles in the nave. The first three traverses of the nave date to the mid-15th to the early-16th century. are in the

Flamboyant Flamboyant () is a lavishly-decorated style of Gothic architecture that appeared in France and Spain in the 15th century, and lasted until the mid-sixteenth century and the beginning of the Renaissance.Encyclopedia Britannica, "Flamboyant style ...

or late Gothic style. mid-15th to the early-16th century. The arcades have pointed arches, and are supported by columns without capitals. The next three traverses are from the 17th century, in a larger "tier-point" form. The choir, built between the mid-16th and the beginning of the 17th century, is in the Renaissance style, with rounded arches. In the 1622 the choir was given a new vaulted ceiling built of wood instead of stone. In the 18th century, the columns were carved with grooves to give them a more classical appearance. The carved wooden tower of the

pulpit A pulpit is a raised stand for preachers in a Christian church. The origin of the word is the Latin ''pulpitum'' (platform or staging). The traditional pulpit is raised well above the surrounding floor for audibility and visibility, accesse ...

(1718) between the nave and choir is the classical centerpiece of the church.Dumoulin (2010), p. 27 File:P1000889 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard autel reductwk.JPG, The classical choir and altar File:Pulpit @ Eglise Saint-Médard @ Paris (32733124655).jpg, The pulpit (1718)

The disambulatory and chapels

The oldest chapels are located on the left side in the west end of the nave. The disambulatory around and behind the choir leads to a series of more recent chapels and the axial chapel at the east end, which was added in the 18th century. The chapels are filled with elaborate art work and decoration. The chapel at the east end of the church was constructed by the architect Louis-François Petit-Radel in 1784. In conformance with a vow made by King Louis XIII, this chapel, like other axial chapels in France of the period, were dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has a classical simplicity. Until recent times, the chapel was closed off from view of the rest of the church by a wall of stone rubble. File:P1000885 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard Nef nord reductwk.JPG, Chapels on the north side of the nave File:Eglise Saint-Medard interior 2, Paris 24 April 2012.jpg, Chapel of the Virgin, at east end of church File:P1000890 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard Déambulatoire reductwk.JPG, Chapels of the disambulatory

Art and Decoration

Sculpture

File:Eglise Saint-Médard @ Paris (32609830621).jpg, Archangel appearing to Saint Joan of Arc by Verrebout (1888-1889). File:P1000887 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard statue saint Denis.JPG, Saint Denis penitent (18th c.) File:Eglise Saint-Médard @ Paris (32692836556).jpg, Bas-relief of La Vierge et l'Enfan, by Verrebout (1888-1889)

Column sculpture

Several vestiges of sculpture from the earlier churches can be seen in the column capitals and in places where the arches meet the walls of the nave. File:F0691 Paris V eglise Saint-Medard chapiteau rwk.jpg, Gothic arch sculpture - a

Harpy In Greek and Roman mythology, a harpy (plural harpies, , ; ) is a half-human and half-bird mythical creature, often believed to be a personification of storm winds. They feature in Homeric poems. Descriptions Harpies were generally depict ...

, half-woman, half bird (15th century) File:F0684 Paris V eglise Saint-Medard chapiteau rwk.jpg, Gothic arch - a dragon (15th century File:F0698 Paris V eglise Saint-Medard chapiteau rwk.jpg, Classical column capital in choir

Paintings

The chapels along the sides of the church contain several paintings by notable artists of the 18th and 19th centuries. They include: * "Jesus chasing the merchants from the Temple" by

Charles-Joseph Natoire Charles-Joseph Natoire (3 March 1700 – 23 August 1777) was a French painter in the Rococo manner, a pupil of François Lemoyne and director of the French Academy in Rome, 1751–1775. Considered during his lifetime the equal of François Bou ...

(1700–1777) * "The promenade of Saint Joseph and the Infant Jesus" by

Francisco de Zurbarán Francisco de Zurbarán ( , ; baptized 7 November 1598 – 27 August 1664) was a Spanish painter. He is known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, and for his still-lifes. Zurbarán gained the nickname "Spanis ...

* "Saint Cecila" by

Pierre-Jacques Cazes Pierre-Jacques Cazes (1676 – 25 June 1754) was a French painter who specialized in religious and mythological subjects. He also taught several other French artists including François Boucher and Jean Siméon Chardin, Jean-Siméon Chardin. ...

(1676–1754) * "The Marriage of the Virgin" by

Alexandre-François Caminade Alexandre-François Caminade (14 December 1783 – May 1862) was a French painter. Caminade was born and died in Paris. He was a portraitist and a religious painter. He was Jacques-Louis David's pupil. Main works *''Flight into Egypt'', St. Etie ...

(1783–1852) The work by Zurbaran was originally painted for the altarpiece in a convent in Seville, then was sold to a French banker who placed it in the church. The painting of Caminade of "The Marriage of the Virgin" was commission by Cardinal Melchior de Polignac when Caminade was still a student in the Academy of Rome.Dumoulin (2010), p. 98 File:P1010163 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard retable reductwk.JPG, Retable in Chapel of Saint_Catherine, paintings of Christ and the Virgin Mary after the Crucifixion, Saint Vincent and Saint Honoré (anonymous artist, 16h century) File:La Promenade de l'Enfant Jésus par Francisco Zurbaran, env.1635.jpg, "Promenade of Saint Joseph with Infant Jesus" by

(1598 –1664) File:Cazes Cecile.jpg, "Saint Cecila" by

(1676–1754) File:Le mariage de la Vierge.jpg, "The Marriage of the Virgin" by

(1783-1852)

Stained glass

In the chapels the church has preserved a number of old panels of stained glass from the 16th century, which have been inserted into newer windows. File:F0689 Paris V eglise Saint-Medard chapelle Annonciation vitrail rwk.jpg, "Donors in Prayer", Chapel of the Annunciation (16th century) File:F0676 Paris V eglise Saint-Medard vitrail rwk.jpg, "Christ and St. Roch, St. Catherine (16th c.) File:P1010164 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard vitrail reductwk.JPG, "Three Saints" (1889) File:Paris-St-Médard325.JPG, Angel and Saints (16th c.) File:Paris-St-Médard322.JPG, "Christ in Majesty" File:Paris-St-Médard321.JPG, "Angel Musician" File:Paris-St-Médard538.JPG, "Saint Francis of Assisi" (1889)

The organ

File:P1010174 Paris V Eglise Saint-Médard Orgue reductwk.JPG, The organ on the tribune at the west end of the nave File:F0696 Paris V eglise St-Medard orgue rwk.jpg, Detail of the organ case and decoration The church organ, on the tribune over the west end of the church, was built by François-Henri Cliquot. The carved oak case of the organ was made in 1644–46 by the master wood artist Germain Pillon, and is one of the oldest in Paris. Its decoration features three towers topped with the heads of angels and

harpies In Greek and Roman mythology, a harpy (plural harpies, , ; ) is a half-human and half-bird mythical creature, often believed to be a personification of storm winds. They feature in Homeric poems. Descriptions Harpies were generally depicted ...

. At the top is a figure of Christ resurrected with two angels at his feet. The console of the organ is decorated with two angel- musicians.

References

Bibliography

*Dumoulin, Aline; Ardisson, Alexandra; Maingard, Jérôme; Antonello, Murielle; ''Églises de Paris'' (2010), Éditions Massin, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, *Lecompte, Francis and Ladoux, Bernard, "Paris Rive Gauche – Quartier Latin, St, Germain des Prés, Montparnasse – Les Essentials du Patrimoine", Éditions Massin, Paris, *{{cite book , first=Brian E. , last=Strayer , title=Suffering Saints: Jansensists and Convulsionnaires in France, 1640–1799 , year=2008 , publisher=Sussex Academic Press , isbn=978-1-84519-245-7

External links (In French)

Web site of the church and parish

Base Mérimée listing of the church by the Ministry of Culture
Roman Catholic churches in the 5th arrondissement of Paris Gothic architecture in Paris