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Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Merri, located on Rue Saint-Martin in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, derives its name from Saint Médéric (or Merri), an abbot who died in 700 and whose relics rest in his crypt. Originally an oratory named Saint-Pierre-des-Bois, the place became a chapel dedicated to Saint Médéric in the ninth century, after the exhumation of his remains in 884. In the 10th century, a Romanesque church was built thanks to royal gifts, then replaced in the 13th century by a collegiate church dependent on Notre-Dame, of which Saint-Merri is one of the four "girls" still standing.

The construction of the present building, in the Gothic style flamboyant despite its Renaissance period (1500-1565), was carried out in three phases: the nave (1500-1515), the transept (1525-1535), and the choir (1535-1565). Nicknamed "Our Lady the Little" for her plan similar to the cathedral, it houses 16th century stained glass windows, a prestigious organ (1647-1650), and an crypt containing the relics of Saint Merri. In the 18th century, Baroque modifications were made, such as the chapel of the Communion (1743) designed by Germain Boffrand, innovative for its zenithal lighting.

The church experienced upheavals during the Revolution: closed in 1793, turned into a saltpeter factory and then into a " temple of commerce", it was restored to worship in 1803. Ranked a historic monument in 1862, it suffered a fire in 1871 which partially destroyed its bell tower. In the 19th century, frescoes were added by painters like Theodore Chassériau, and the organ was modernized by Cavaillé-Coll. Since 2021, the parish has been run by the community of Sant-Egidio, committed to welcoming the poorest.

Saint-Merri is distinguished by his artistic furniture, including paintings by Simon Vouet, Carle Van Loo, and sculptures by the Slodtz brothers. The west facade, decorated with statues and a fantastic bestiary, presents a controversial vault key evoking the Baphomet, added in the 19th century. The crypt, completed in 1515, still houses the patron saint's shawl, while the bell tower preserves the oldest bell in Paris (1331).

The church plays a significant cultural and social role: it inspired writers like Huysmans and Apollinaire, and today hosts concerts, exhibitions, and charitable activities. Its history reflects the religious, artistic and urban transformations of Paris, from medieval times to today.

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