Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Medieval monastery in 6th arrondissement, France
The Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a monastery in the 6th arrondissement of Paris built in the Romanesque style. The structure displays thick stone walls, rounded arches, and a distinctive bell tower that dates from the 10th century.
A king founded the monastery in the 6th century to house sacred relics in a protected place. The complex later became an important center for book and manuscript production during the Middle Ages.
The name comes from a saint and the marshland that once surrounded the location. Today, visitors come to experience the quiet church interior and sense the place's long spiritual role in the city.
The church is open daily through the main entrance on Boulevard Saint-Germain for visitors to explore the interior. Wear comfortable shoes and dress respectfully, as this is still an active place of worship.
The site holds burial chambers of early French kings who were laid to rest long before the famous Notre-Dame cathedral was built. This makes it one of the oldest royal burial grounds anywhere in France.
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