Saint-Sulpice Seminary

Saint-Sulpice Seminary is a neoclassical building on Place Saint-Sulpice in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, comprising four interconnected three-story structures arranged around a central courtyard. The complex was designed following Italian palace principles and completed in 1838.

City architect Étienne-Hippolyte Godde designed the building for the Society of Priests of Saint Sulpice, with construction running from 1820 to 1838. The seminary closed in 1906 following France's law separating Church and State, after which the building was repurposed for government use.

The building shaped how Parisians understood clerical education and spiritual training in the heart of the Left Bank. Its presence on the square reinforced the area's identity as a center of learning and religious thought.

The building sits directly on Place Saint-Sulpice, a busy square in the 6th arrondissement with good public transport access. The exterior and courtyard are visible from the square, but the interior is not open to visitors since it functions as an administrative office building.

Inside the complex stands a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary with ornate coffered ceilings and stained glass windows. These sacred spaces reflect the artistic splendor created to support the spiritual formation of priests.

Location: 6th arrondissement of Paris

Founders: Jean-Jacques Olier

Architects: Étienne-Hippolyte Godde

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: 48.85011,2.33337

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:22