Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre

Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre, one of Paris’ oldest churches, is tucked behind Sacré Coeur high up on Montmartre. There are those that would argue the point of it being one of Paris’ oldest churches because at that time, the Montmartre area was not actually a part of Paris.

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre

The first glimpse I had of Saint-Pierre was from high atop the dome of Sacré Coeur. What we see today was a part of a Benedictine Abbey founded in 1134 by the wife of Louis VI, Adélaïde de Mauriene. In 1901 her tomb was found beneath the steps leading up to the main altar.

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre History

The first church in Merovingian times of the 7th century at this location was built over the ruins of a Roman temple. Excavation work done in 1875 for Sacré-Coeur, unearthed sarcophagi east of the apse that gave evidence of a Merovingian and Medieval cemetery. The Medieval graves were on top of the sixth and seventh century graves.  Thus, inside we find a mixture of medieval and modern styles as the church has been altered and restored over its history.

The vault that covers the nave is 15th century yet the stained glass windows date from the 20th century. They are the work of Max Ingrand. Also in the vault and choir are 4 black marble columns which have survived from the original seventh century church.

Doors

The massive bronze doors at the entrance to the church date from 1980. This photo shows just a portion of them.

It was the door to the Calvary cemetery that attracted my attention! First, this cemetery is the oldest and smallest in Paris with only had 80 tombs, and it is only open at rare moments. Saint-Vincent Cemetery replaced it in 1831.

Porte de la Résurrection – Door of the Resurrection

Statues in Saint-Pierre de Montmartre

Oral tradition says Saint-Denis founded the church so that probably accounts for his statue being here. On the other hand, Montmartre literally translates as “mount of martyrs” and since Denis was a martyr, that would also be another reason to have his statue here.

Notre-Dame de Montmartre,  the Virgin Mary,  also called Notre-Dame de Beauté serves as the patron saint of artists.

Notre-Dame de Montmartre

This statue of Saint Anthony of Padua and the Christ child was particularly moving to me.”He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus and is commonly referred to today as the “finder of lost articles.” (Catholic Online- World’s Catholic Library)

Saint Anthony of Padua

Joan of Arc

Saint-Peter

The Altar

Jean-Paul Froidevaux (1977) created the enameled copper altar.

Enameled copper altar by Froidevaux

Directions

If you take the Funicular to the top of Montmartre (located on Rue d’Orsel), follow Rue du Cardinal Dubois to the left around the square Nadar. Rue du Mont-Cenis will be on your right and you will be able to see Sacré Coeur looming in the background over Saint Pierre.

2 rue du Mont-Cenis
Metro Line 2 , Anvers stop
Metro Line 12 Abbessess stop

References

Bailey K. Young, “Archaeology in an Urban Setting: Excavations at Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre, Paris, 1975-1977”, Journal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Autumn, 1978), pp. 319-329.

William W. Clark, “Context, Continuity, and the Creation of National Memory in Pairs, 1130-1160: A Critical Commentary”, Gesta, Vol. 45, No. 2, 50th Anniversary of the International Center of Medieval Art (2006), pp. 161-175.

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