Church of St. Margaret

The Church of St. Margaret is a Catholic place of worship featuring a long nave supported by rounded arches with barrel vaults and oculi windows that fill the interior with light. The structure combines classical and baroque architectural elements into a unified composition.

The church was founded in 1625 by Antoine Fayet and construction progressed through several stages until completion in 1764. An adjacent cemetery later became the burial place for approximately 300 people executed at Place de la Bastille during the French Revolution.

The Chapel of Souls in Purgatory features trompe-l'oeil murals painted by Paolo Antonio Brunetti and Gabriel Briard that depict religious doctrine. These visual works show how spiritual concepts were communicated to visitors through art.

The church is readily accessible and allows visitors to explore the interior architecture and artistic decorations at a comfortable pace. The adjacent cemetery is also open to visitors and offers a quiet space for reflection and historical appreciation.

During the French Revolution in 1790, twenty-six of the thirty clergy members took an oath to the Constitutional government, allowing the church to remain open. This pragmatic decision helped preserve the building from closure during a time of religious upheaval.

Location: 11th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1625

Architectural style: Classicism, baroque architecture

Address: 36, rue Saint-Bernard, 75011 Paris

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:00-19:00;Sunday 09:00-12:00

Phone: +33143713424

Website: https://saintemargueriteparis.fr

GPS coordinates: 48.85280,2.38111

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:47