Our Paris guide lists 10 places of worship, and several of them are within walking distance of the Louvre. They range from Gothic landmarks on Île de la Cité and a white basilica on Montmartre to Catholic parish churches, a historic Protestant church and a Baptist church.
On Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral; confirm the current reopening and visiting rules before you go. Nearby, Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic royal chapel known for its stained glass, with tickets sold through the Centre des monuments nationaux. To the north, Sacré-Cœur Basilica stands white atop Montmartre, with views over the city.
Around the Louvre, the Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is a medieval Catholic church directly across from the Louvre Palace, named after Saint Germanus, a bishop of Auxerre. The Temple de l'Oratoire du Louvre is a historic Protestant church between 145 rue Saint-Honoré and 160 rue de Rivoli, across the street from the Louvre. Église Saint-Eustache, also in the 1st arrondissement, was built between 1532 and 1633.
In the 2nd arrondissement, the Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is a minor basilica that began as an abbey church and was built between 1629 and 1740 in the French classical style. The guide also includes Église Saint-Roch, Église Saint-Germain des Prés on Place Saint-Germain des Prés and the Église évangélique baptiste. If you visit during a service, dress respectfully and keep quiet.
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10 places in our guide
1. Notre-Dame Cathedral
Île de la Cité
Gothic cathedral on Île de la Cité. Confirm reopening visit rules.
2. Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Montmartre
White basilica atop Montmartre with city views.
3. Sainte-Chapelle
Île de la Cité
Gothic royal chapel with stained glass. Tickets via Centre des monuments nationaux.
4. Temple de l'Oratoire du Louvre
Paris
The Église réformée de l'Oratoire du Louvre is a historic Protestant church located at 145 rue Saint-Honoré – 160 rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, across the street from the Louvre.
5. Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois
Paris
The Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is a medieval Catholic church in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, directly across from the Louvre Palace. It was named for Saint Germanus of Auxerre, a medieval bishop of Auxerre, who became a papal envoy and met Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, on his journeys.
6. Église Saint-Eustache
Paris
The Church of St. Eustache, Paris, is a church in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The present building was built between 1532 and 1633.
7. Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
Paris
The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is a minor basilica located on rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. It was begun as an abbey church and constructed between 1629 and 1740 in the French classical style.
8. Église évangélique baptiste
Paris
9. Église Saint-Roch
Paris
10. Église Saint-Germain des Prés
Place Saint-Germain des Prés
Questions travellers ask
- Where do I buy tickets for Sainte-Chapelle?
- Tickets for the Gothic royal chapel on Île de la Cité are sold through the Centre des monuments nationaux.
- Can I visit Notre-Dame Cathedral?
- The Gothic cathedral on Île de la Cité is in our guide, but confirm the current reopening and visiting rules before you go.
- Which churches are next to the Louvre?
- Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois stands directly across from the Louvre Palace, and the Temple de l'Oratoire du Louvre is across the street on rue Saint-Honoré and rue de Rivoli. Saint-Eustache is also in the 1st arrondissement.
- Is there a Protestant church in central Paris?
- Yes. The Temple de l'Oratoire du Louvre is a historic Protestant church in the 1st arrondissement. The guide also lists the Église évangélique baptiste.
- How old is Saint-Eustache?
- The present building of the Church of St. Eustache was built between 1532 and 1633.
- Which church in Paris has city views?
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the white basilica atop Montmartre.