Paris - Saint-Séverin

In the lower part of the Quartier Latin is the church of Saint-Séverin (named after a hermit named Severinus who lived here in the sixth century), one of the finest examples of the Flamboyant style of Late Gothic architecture. A visit to the church could be combined with one of the fine organ recitals regularly given here.

The church stands on the site of an early chapel and a small church which was destroyed by the Norsemen.

The present church was begun at the beginning of the 13th century, partly destroyed, apparently by fire, in the 15th century, and was finally completed in Late Gothic style between 1450 and 1520.

The first three bays of the nave are in the simple style of the 13th century; then beyond this are slender pillars with elaborately carved capitals and fanciful keystones. The choir, surrounded by a very beautiful double ambulatory, is a masterpiece of Late Gothic architecture with its wonderfully intricate net vaulting. The stained glass in the first three bays, with figures of Apostles (14th C.), came from the choir of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The other windows in the nave date from the 15th century. In sharp contrast are the modern windows in the choir (by Jean Bazaine, 1966). The little garden on the site of the old graveyard is surrounded by ossuaries.