Taxi VAN transportation from Orly airport to Eglise de Saint-Louis en l’Ile in Paris

In-depth History of the Eglise de Saint-Louis en l’Ile

Perched in the heart of Paris, within the 4th arrondissement, the Eglise de Saint-Louis en l’Ile is an architectural marvel built between 1624 and 1726, reflecting the splendor of French Baroque style. Dedicated to Saint Louis, King of France from 1226 to 1270, also known as Louis IX, this church is the patron saint of the place, deeply symbolizing France’s religious and cultural heritage. The initiative for its construction was inspired by King Louis IX’s acquisition of a precious relic: the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ, which later became the cornerstone of the Sainte Chapelle. With the development of the Île Saint-Louis in the early 17th century, orchestrated by engineer Christophe Marie, the island quickly transformed into a new urban center. Facing population growth, the demand for a place of worship became pressing, leading to the creation of the Eglise de Saint-Louis en l’Ile, initially called Notre-Dame-en-l’Île.

The need for a larger chapel to accommodate the growing population of the island led to the decision to rebuild the church in 1642. However, budget constraints delayed the start of construction until 1656, under the direction of architect François Le Vau. The construction of this new church marked a turning point in the architectural history of Paris, although Le Vau died before its completion. The Archbishop of Paris, Hardouin de Péréfixe, laid the first stone of the choir in 1664, marking the beginning of a construction era that spanned several decades. Despite challenges and tragedies, such as the partial collapse of the roof in 1701 causing numerous casualties among the faithful, the church continued to serve as a place of worship. Finally, after a long process marked by the death of several architects, the church was solemnly inaugurated by Jean de Caulet, Bishop of Grenoble, thus concluding nearly 70 years of construction.