The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of Paris's most important monuments, but did you know that there are over 140 Catholic churches in the capital? Outside of the city center, churches such as Église du Saint-Esprit and Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette demonstrate the diversity of architecture Paris's churches have to offer. Here are 5 of our favorite original churches in Paris that are well worth a visit.
Église du Saint-Esprit
The Église du Saint-Esprit stands out as a cross between Byzantine architecture and modern building materials. Built between 1928 and 1935, this church has an exterior of brick and a dome of reinforced concrete, the form of which were inspired by the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. Along the walls, frescoes depict moments from the Bible and from French Catholic history.
186 av. Daumesnil, 12th arrondissement
Metro Daumesnil (Line 6, Line 8)
Église Saint-Éloi
This church may look a little bit out of place in Paris. Saint-Eloi, the patron saint of metalworkers and goldsmiths, inspired the architecture of this church. Sleek lines, reflective glass, and minimalist interior decoration match the neighborhood of Saint-Éloi, which was transformed by urbanism reforms between 1958 and 1977.
3 pl. Maurice de Fontenay, 12th arrondissement
Metro Montgallet (Line 8)
Notre-Dame-du-Travail
Built on the site of an older small chapel, Notre-Dame-du-Travail was built to accommodate a growing working-class population who moved to the outskirts of Paris in the mid-19th century. Its unassuming neo-Romanesque exterior belies the church’s steel-frame interior, which reflects the factories that defined the industrial age. Its exterior belltower displays one of five large bells brought to France after victory in the 1854 Crimean War; the remaining four are in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Paris.
59 rue Vercingétorix, 14th arrondissement
Metro Plaisance (Line 13)
Notre-Dame-de-La-Salette
Another 1960s church, Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette is tucked away in the 15th arrondissement, nearly invisible from the road. Simple geometric shapes and sparse decoration define this church, inspired by the modernization efforts of the Second Vatican Council. The concrete dome stands out for its unusual "gugelhupf" shape, and its stained-glass windows offer the only natural light inside.
38 rue de Cronstadt, 15th arrondissement
Metro Convention (Line 15)
Saint-Christophe-de-Javel
The first church built using reinforced concrete and pre-fabricated elements, Saint-Christophe-de-Javel’s brick façade reflects the modern architecture of the interwar period. Dedicated to Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, the murals inside depict various means of transportation, reflecting the surrounding neighborhood which was once home to a Citroën automobile factory.
28 rue de la Convention, 15th arrondissement
Metro Javel - André Citroën (Line 10)
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