Église Saint-Leu-Saint Giles

Location: Corner Rue Saint Denis and Rue du Cygne

English translation

“The only vestige of the eight religious buildings that once lined the rue Saint-Denis, the oldest parts of Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles date back to 1235. Partially rebuilt in 1320, it was extensively remodeled in 1611, enlarged in 1727 and, in 1780, endowed with an underground chapel reserved for the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, whose chapel, at number 60 on the street, was destroyed around 1795. Restored in 1849, the church lost the three chapels of its apse when the Boulevard de Sébastopol was built, and Baltard then flanked it with a series of new buildings that further altered its appearance.” (Translated by DeepL)

Background notes
  • The Abbey of St-Magloire, established in 1120, once stood between numbers 84 and 92 of the Rue St-Denis. As early as the 12th century, a chapel dedicated to Saint Gilles (a 7th-century hermit from Provence) was located within the monastery for the use of the local people. 
  • In 1235, it was decided to build a church in honour of Saint Gilles outside the monastery itself. The name of Saint-Leu (Saint-Loup), Bishop of Sens, whose feast falls on the same day as Saint Gilles, September 1st, was added (hence why the church is named after two saints!). 
  • The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre is a Catholic order that originated during the First Crusade to protect holy sites in Jerusalem, including the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, buried and resurrected).
  • In 1819, the Knights brought the relics of Saint Helena to the Église Saint Leu-Saint Giles from the Abbey of Hautvilliers, near Épernay.
  • Born around 248-250 CE, Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, is known for her pilgrimage to the Holy Land and her discovery of the True Cross of Jesus Christ.
  • She died in Rome in 330, and you can still see her tomb there and her sarcophagus in the Vatican Museum. While most of the empress’s remains are still in Rome, her relics including a portion of her bones are now kept in a reliquary within the underground chapel or crypt of Église Saint-Leu-Saint Giles, which is accessible for viewing.
  • Boulevard Sébastopol was opened in 1857 as part of urban renovations commissioned by Napoleon III. Its construction led to significant alterations to the church, including the removal of its apse and chapels. 
  • Victor Baltard, a prominent 19th century French architect, was responsible for the restoration and maintenance of several Parisian churches, including Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles. He is best known for his work on Les Halles, the central market of Paris, where he pioneered the use of glass and iron in architecture. 
  • Boulevard Sébastopol cut through some of the most crowded and unhealthy neighborhoods of old Paris, aiming to improve sanitation, modernise the city and reduce vulnerability to riots.