CHURCH OF SAINT-SULPICE

Description

Essentials about the Church of Saint-Sulpice in brief

Located between Luxembourg Palace and the Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the district of the same name, the Church of Saint-Sulpice ekes out a shadowy existence among the sights of Paris. Unfortunately, this is completely unjustified, because with a length of 118 meters and a width of 57 meters, Saint-Sulpice is only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame Cathedral and thus the second largest church in the French capital. However, the church dedicated to St. Sulpicius II is not only a relatively large, but also an architecturally interesting church building.

The history of the Church of Saint-Sulpice

As early as the 12th century, a Romanesque predecessor building stood on the site of today’s Saint-Sulpice, but most of it was demolished in the 17th century. In 1646, the foundation stone was laid for a new three-nave basilica with a circumferential choir and transept. Originally, the church was designed in the classical architectural style. However, since several architects were involved in the construction, Saint-Sulpice shows Gothic and Baroque elements in addition to Classicist ones. As far as the facade of the church is concerned, tastes differ. Most experts and visitors agree that the two large columned halls, one above the other, with the two towers above them do not create a harmonious overall picture.

The organs of the Church of Saint-Sulpice

The church contains the tombs of some of France’s greatest families. In addition, the Church of Saint-Sulpice is particularly known for its two mighty organs. The main organ, built at the end of the 18th century and still largely in its original condition, is one of the largest organs in the world, with over 100 stops and around 7,000 pipes. Anyone who enjoys listening to organ music should therefore visit Saint-Sulpice on Sunday, when organ concerts take place after mass.

The Church of Saint-Sulpice and The Da Vinci Code

And last but not least, it should be mentioned that the Church of Saint-Sulpice became known to a wide public as part of the film adaptation of the best-selling novel “The Da Vinci Code”. In the film, Opus Dei member Silas searches in vain for the keystone in the church under the Rose Line. But the line clearly marked in the floor of the church is the original prime meridian, which was never called the Rose Line. And the whole truth is that the interior shots were not shot in the church itself at all, but in the studio. Only the exterior shots of the film were actually shot at the church.