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| Église Saint-Eustache |
Location: Corner of Rue Rambuteau and Rue du Jour
English translation
"The growing population around Les Halles and the piety of a bourgeois, Jean Alais, led to the foundation of a chapel in 1223 dedicated to Saint Agnes and then Saint Eustache. Built at the junction of the Montmartre and Marée paths, and now a parish church, it underwent a series of extensions before being replaced by the current structure. The foundation stone was laid on August 29, 1532 by François l, but it was not completed and consecrated until April 26, 1637. The parish church of Colbert, Saint-Eustache owes Mignard's frescoes and a new facade to the minister's generosity, though the latter, like the former, remained unfinished." (Translated by DeepL and ChatGPT)
Background notes
- Jean Alais was a merchant in the Les Halles area of Paris (see plaque 11) during the early 13th century. He lent a substantial sum of money to King Philippe Auguste, who, in repayment, granted him the right to collect a tax on fish baskets sold at the market. With the wealth amassed from this tax, Alais funded the construction of a chapel, initially dedicated to Saint Agnes (a Roman martyr from the 3rd century).
- The church was renamed in 1303, in honour of Saint Eustache after receiving relics associated with him from the Abbey of Saint Denis. Saint Eustache (the patron saint of hunters) was originally a 2nd century CE Roman general named Placidus, who converted to Christianity after reportedly seeing a vision of a crucifix between a deer's antlers while hunting. He and his family were martyred for their faith.
- As "la marée" in French denotes seafood or the seafood market, the Marée path refers to the route used to transport fish to sell at Les Halles, Paris's central market area.
- As the area prospered, the church became too small for its congregation and the church wardens decided to build a larger building. Construction of the current church began in 1532, during the reign of François I (ruled from 1515 to 1547) but it was not completed and consecrated until 1637.
- Église Saint-Eustache was the parish church of Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683), the finance minister under King Louis XIV. Colbert was a parishioner of this church, and his connection brought patronage and enhancements to the church during his time. Colbert's tomb is still located in the church.
- Colbert's patronage included commissioning artworks and architectural enhancements for Église Saint-Eustache, notably frescoes by Pierre Mignard (a renowned French painter) (1612-1695) and plans for a new facade.
- Construction was slowed by the difficult site, a shortage of funds, and the French Wars of Religion. The addition of two chapels in 1655 severely compromised the structural integrity of the church, necessitating the demolition of the facade, which was rebuilt in 1754 under architect Jean Mansart de Jouy. However, modifications continued, and the facade was altered again in 1928–1929. Today, the church's facade reflects these historical layers of construction and renovation.
- Many celebrated Parisians are connected with the Church of St. Eustache. Louis XIV made his First Communion here in 1649. Cardinal Richelieu, Madame de Pompadour, and Molière were all baptised here; Molière was married here in 1662; and Mozart held his mother's funeral here.