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| Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption |
Location: 263 bis Rue Saint-Honoré
English Translation
"On September 6, 1622, Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld installed Augustinian nuns on this site, the Filles de l'Assomption, also known as the Nouvelles-Haudriettes, as they came from the Hospice des Haudriettes, Rue de la Mortellerie, on the edge of the Place de Grève. From 1670 to 1676, Charles Errard had a large chapel built for them, topped by a very large dome, clearly inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The dome is covered with a fresco by Charles de la Fosse celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Abolished during the French Revolution, the convent gave way to the Rue de Mondovi and the Cour des Comptes. In 1850, the church was assigned to the Polish community of Paris." (Translated by DeepL and ChatGPT)
Background notes
- François de La Rochefoucauld (1558-1645) was a prominent Catholic leader who became Bishop of Clermont in 1585. In 1607, he was elevated to Cardinal, marking him as a high-ranking figure within the Catholic Church. His efforts were instrumental in the broader Counter-Reformation movement within France, seeking to renew the Catholic Church's spiritual vigour and moral integrity.
- Augustinian nuns are members of religious orders that follow the Rule of Saint Augustine, a set of precepts for monastic life written by Saint Augustine of Hippo in the 5th century. This rule emphasises community living, chastity, poverty, and obedience. The nuns dedicate themselves to contemplative life, prayer, and various forms of service, including education and healthcare. In France, several convents of Augustinian nuns were established, contributing significantly to religious and social life.
- The Haudriettes were a charitable community of laywomen founded in 13th-century Paris by Étienne Haudry, dedicated to caring for the sick and poor. Over time, they evolved into a formal religious order, adopting the Rule of St. Augustine to guide their communal and spiritual lives. The term Nouvelles-Haudriettes refers to the reformed or newly established community of the Haudriettes
- The nuns were relocated from the Haudriettes hospice near Place de Grève to a new site to establish a more suitable convent for their growing community and to enhance their religious mission. Place de Grève was a prominent square in Paris, located along the Seine River where the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) stands today. Historically, it was used for public executions, gatherings, and markets.
- "Filles de l'Assomption" translates to "Daughters of the Assumption" and "Notre-Dame de l'Assomption" translates to "Our Lady of the Assumption." This reflects their special devotion to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a central event in Catholic belief celebrating Mary's ascent into heaven. The word "Assumption" comes from the Latin assumptio, meaning "a taking up." The spiritual focus of the nuns was on emulating Mary's virtues and dedicating their lives to religious service under her patronage.
- Charles Errard (1606–1689) was a distinguished French painter, architect, and a founding member of the French Academy in Rome. He was commissioned to design the Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, drawing inspiration from classical Roman architecture, notably the Pantheon.
- Charles de La Fosse (1636–1716) was a renowned French Baroque painter celebrated for his vibrant use of colour and dynamic compositions. He painted the fresco adorning the dome of the Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This artwork directly correlates with the nuns' designation as the Filles de l'Assomption, symbolising their deep veneration for the Assumption and reinforcing their spiritual identity and mission.
- During the French Revolution (1789–1799), there was a widespread movement to secularise society, leading to the suppression of many religious institutions. The convent of the Filles de l'Assomption was abolished, and its properties were confiscated. Subsequently, the area underwent urban redevelopment. The Cour des Comptes (see plaque #22), France's supreme audit institution, was established in 1807 and later occupied part of the former convent's site.
- In the 19th century, Paris became a refuge for many Polish émigrés, especially after the failed November Uprising against Russian rule in 1830–1831. To serve the spiritual needs of this growing community, the Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption was entrusted to them in 1850, becoming the main Polish church in Paris. It is known for its collection of Baroque paintings.