About Saint Eustache:
Named after Saint Eustace, a Roman general who converted to Christianity after he had a vision of the cross while hunting . As a result if this conversion he lost his wealth, was separated from his wife and sons, and went into exile in Egypt. He was called back to lead the Roman army by emperor Trajan, but after the death of Trajan, the Emperor Hadrian had him and his family killed for refusing to sacrifice to pagan Roman gods.
About Saint Eustache Church in Paris:
The Eglise Saint-Eustache in the heart of Les Halles is one of the most visited churches in Paris.
Due to its large size, it is more like a cathedral than a church. The church was built in 1532 and then restored in 1840. As a result it uses a variety of styles: the façade is Gothic, while the interior is in the Renaissance and classical styles. Construction took over 100 years from 1532 to 1637, and then was rebuilt in 1754.
The organ of Saint-Eustache is one of the biggest pipe organs in France, with over 8,000 pipes.and its resident organist gives a free concert on Sunday afternoons. Note that Notre Dame and Saint Sulpice also claim to the the largest, so not sure who is right….but listening to the organ here you won’t care which one is the biggest.
There have been quite a few special occasions here: Louis XIV had his First Communion here in 1649; Cardinal Richelieu, Madame de Pompadour and Molière were all baptized here; and Mozart held his mother’s funeral here. The beauty of the church and the artworks contained here make it one of the “don’t miss” churches in Paris..
In addition, the 2019 Easter Mass at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris was relocated to Saint-Eustache after the Notre-Dame de Paris fire.
Finding Saint Eustache Church in Paris:
The church is located in the 1st Arrondisemont close to Les Halles, the famous Paris market.
Address: 2 Imp. Saint-Eustache, 75001 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 42 36 31 05
