Paris

Saint Germain l Auxerrois

The Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is located in the heart of Paris. Founded in the 7th century, the church was rebuilt many times over the centuries. Its current style could be said to be Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance.

The most notable external feature is the entrance, with a rosette and the tower that was added in 1860 and placed at the front, of the district No. 1 of Paris.

This is a historic place because it marks a tragic event during the religious wars of the sixteenth century. Protestants had arrived in France, in particular, a movement called the Huguenots. After harsh wars, Queen Catherine de Medici ordered a marriage between her daughter, named Margot, and a Protestant prince, Henry IV. On the night of August 23, 1572, the day of Saint Bartholomew, the bells of this church sounded giving the signal for thousands of Parisians to assassinate about 3000 Huguenots in an organized manner. This day was called the Saint Bartholomew massacre.