Saint
Germain des Pres : 65
meters long, 21 meters wide and 19 meters high St Germain
is a small church. Given the various destructions and multiple
restorations, this building's Roman architecture has much
changed since the 11th century, though many of its original
elements
remain intact. The tops of the
altar (in four bays) present traditional themes characteristic
of Roman style : in particular, figures of monsters
and birds?. Built between 990 and 1014, the original massive
front tower or "Clocher-Porche", part of three original
bell towers and still in existence, is one of the oldest in
France. The tower's archways and spires which were restaured
during the last century, date back to the 12th century as does
the principle facade. The original stacks of the two primitive,
lateral towers are also still visible. The architecture of
the archway (walkway) dating from the 12th century reamins
more or less intact. It is surrounded by five chapels of ribbed
vaults dedicated in 1163 by Pope Alexander the 3rd. Only the
windows of the fourth chapel conserve fragments of stained
glass from the 11th century. The arcades, constructed
around 1163 are based on a model by Senlis, Saint-Denis and
Noyon. They used to support the
lofts (as in the Church of Notre Dame), which were eventually
removed in 1646. The marble shafts are much older and come
from the primitive edifice designed by Childebert. These constitute
the most beautiful Merovingian remnants in Paris. The altar's
admireable colums of triforium date back to the first Merovingian
basilica built in the 7th century. Its decorations are recent
and stand out by their academism. The wall paintings are works
by a student of Ingres, Hippolyte Flandrin. Many of his works
can be found in the Louvre. These wall paintings, done in 1846,
represent the "Entrance of Christ into Jerusalem",
(on the north side) and the Carrying of the Cross, on the south
side.
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Its location in one of the loveliest arrondissements of Paris
attracts business men as well as tourists wishing to enjoy the
sights and sounds of the capital city. The surrounding terraces
invite you to spend a good time.

Situated
in the Latin Quarter in the historic and cultural heart of Paris,
Hotel Dauphine Saint Germain des Pres, with its 30 rooms will welcome
you by the best standards of hotel accommodation, in a setting which
combines seventeenth century architecture, exposed stone and oak
woodwork.
Hotels Saint Germain des Pres Paris A list of Hotels situated around Saint Germain des Pres in Paris
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