The best churches of Paris

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame is Paris' most famous cathedral with its magnificent Gothic architecture and ferocious gargoyles. It can be visited at any time of night or day and each is equally spectacular. You must climb the towers to see the gargoyles. Notre Dame was one of the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress. Interestingly the French novelist Victor Hugo wrote his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame partly to raise interest in the cathedral's fate. At the time it had fallen into disrepair and a campaign was launched to restore it.

Sainte Chapelle

Sainte Chapelle or the Holy Chapel is one of the smallest chapels in Paris but one of the best to visit. It is in the courtyard of the royal palace and was built in just 33 months. It houses some relics of Christ including the crown of thorns and the Image of Edessa. However most people come to see the impressive 13th century stained glass and rose windows.

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) at the top of Montmarte was built to fulfil a vow taken by Parisian Catholics after the disastrous Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71. The hill of Montmarte is the highest point in the city and from the Basilica there are magnificent views of the Paris skyline.

La Madeleine

This church is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene and affiliated with a Benedictine abbey but was originally designed as a temple to the glory of Napoleon's army. There are still remnants of the Roman temple style here with 52 Corinthian columns of 20 metres in height. These are scultpured with a relief of the Last Judgement. There are frescoes inside and what is considered the best pipe organ in Paris. In fact the funeral of Chopin was held here.

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Place Sainte-Geneviève, 75005 Paris

The gothic facade of this building is particularly atmospheric on a stormy evening. In all its an attractive church and stands on the site of an abbey founded by Clovis and dedicated to Genevieve, the patroness of Paris. It was once so popular there was not enough room for the pilgrims that come, and they still come today. Inside there is a tomb for Pascal, a magnificent 16th century rood screen with staircases on either side, a wooden pulpit and gorgeous stained glass.