Eglise Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais, Paris

One of the oldest churches in Paris, Eglise Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais is mentioned as early as the fourth century, though it assumed its present appearance in the 16th century. The church is best-known for employing the Couperin family--one of the most famous dynasties of French musicians--for more than two centuries. The organ used by Louis and François Couperin still sits inside the church today, built by the most famous organ building family, the Clicquots. That fact is remarkable, considering that on March 29, 1918, a German shell fell on the church during a Good Friday service. It collapsed the roof, killing 88 and wounding 68 others. This was the worst single incident involving a loss of civilian lives during the German bombardment of Paris in 1918. The church was rebuilt and refurbished after the war. Use our Paris online journey builder to visit Eglise Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais on your trip to Paris, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.