Séminaire du Saint-Esprit

Welcome to the Saint-Esprit Seminary, the mother house of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. This historical complex is located at 28-30 rue Lhomond in the 5th arrondissement of Paris and comprises several buildings, including a chapel that is listed as a national monument. The community of Spiritans was founded in 1703 by Abbe Claude Poullart des Places and settled in 1732 on rue des Postes, now known as rue Lhomond, in buildings designed by architect Rene Baudoin. From 1777 onwards, the seminary trained missionary priests for the French colonies. The chapel was built from 1778 to 1782 by architect Le Camus de Mezieres, who was later replaced by Chalgrin. However, the seminary was closed in 1792, and its buildings were sold in 1796 and used as a paper factory before being taken over by the Ecole Normale Superieure in 1813. The community returned to its former premises in 1822, which became the mother house of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, although its headquarters are in Rome. The Spiritans, originally from France, form an international group of missionary communities mainly present in Africa and Asia. The large building at the corner of rue Lhomond and Rautaud was built in 1732 and still retains many original features, including massive beams and a grand staircase with a wrought iron railing. The chapel, which is also part of the complex, is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture and is well worth a visit. As a tourist guide, I highly recommend visiting the Saint-Esprit Seminary to learn more about the history of the Spiritans and their role in the development of the French colonies. The complex is open to visitors, and guided tours are available upon request. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this unique and fascinating piece of Parisian history.

Location: 5th arrondissement of Paris

Source: Wikimedia