Couvent de la Merci

The Couvent de la Merci is a convent building in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris featuring a U-shaped layout with light stone facades and two sundials positioned on the north and west walls. The central courtyard is framed by arcades that follow the original 18th-century design and create sheltered walkways around the cloister.

The site was founded in 1613 by Marie de Medici, who established a religious order to support persecuted Christians. The building was substantially reconstructed between 1727 and 1731 under architect Pierre-François Godot, who gave it the form it retains today.

The convent housed a religious community dedicated to ransoming Christians held captive by corsairs from North Africa. Visitors can still sense this spiritual purpose through the quiet courtyards and the organization of the building around prayer and communal life.

The building is located on Rue des Archives in the Marais district and can be viewed from the street, where the central courtyard is visible from the main gate. The best time to observe the facade and sundials is during daylight hours when the stone details are clearly visible.

The south wing preserves original 17th-century woodwork and furnishings that are rarely visible to the public. These spaces offer rare glimpses into daily life within the cloister before the major 18th-century renovations transformed the building.