Paris Foreign Missions Society, Roman Catholic missionary society of apostolic life for priests
The Paris Foreign Missions Society, also known as the MEP, is a community of priests and laypeople based at 128 Rue du Bac in Paris, dedicated to training missionaries for service in distant parts of the world, especially Asia. The site includes a seminary, exhibition rooms, a chapel, and a garden that visitors can explore.
The society was founded around 1658 by French bishops who wanted to send missionaries to Asia without relying on the authority of Spanish or Portuguese colonial powers. Over the following centuries, many of its missionaries were persecuted, and a number of them, particularly in Vietnam and Korea, were recognized as martyrs.
The society has long trained priests for service in Asia, and visitors today can walk through exhibition spaces showing objects and documents brought back from those regions. The displays give a concrete sense of daily life in the mission fields, rather than just an abstract account of the organization's work.
The headquarters sits in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, within walking distance of the Rue du Bac metro station, making it easy to reach from central Paris. Visiting hours can vary, so it is worth checking ahead on their website before planning your trip.
The garden at the back of the site holds old bells and memorials brought from the countries where missionaries worked, making it a rare spot where objects from Asia sit quietly in central Paris. Many visitors miss it entirely, even though it is open and easy to find once you step past the main building.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
