Sacred Paris
A Guide to the Churches, Synagogues, and the Grand Mosque in the City of Light
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Embark on a spiritual journey through the captivating sacred sites of Paris, from the iconic Notre-Dame to hidden gems, in this beautifully illustrated guide by the author of Hidden Gardens of Paris and The Streets of Paris.
The spirit of Paris can be felt everywhere in the City of Light, holding a sacred history that transcends words and religion. Its legendary places of worship are truly the crown jewels of the city. Susan Cahill's Sacred Paris is a guide for seasoned Parisian visitors, novices, and armchair travelers alike, taking you on a journey through the historic religious sites of Paris, from the well-known landmarks to the sacred spots off the beaten track.
Discover the magnificent towers of Notre-Dame, the sweeping arches of the Grand Mosque, and the serene beauty of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre. This spiritual tour is interwoven with the artistic and cultural history of Paris, from the medieval Crusades through the Resistance of World War II. Stand in the basilica of Saint-Denis, where Joan of Arc prayed with her soldiers, and gaze at the murals of Saint-Sulpice painted by Eugene Delacroix. You can even visit the village of Auvers, where Vincent van Gogh painted the lovely Gothic church of Notre Dame d'Auvers-sur-Oise.
Organized by the major geographical sections of the city, each chapter is accompanied by Marion Ranoux's stunning four-color photographs. The book also includes "Nearbys" lists, featuring gardens, bistros, librairies, museums, and other points of interest to round out your visit to these sacred Parisian sites.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cahill (Hidden Gardens of Paris) encourages readers to explore the sacred side of Paris in this handy travel guide with a focus on "traditional settings for prayer and worship." From the well-trodden naves of Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle to lesser-known locations such as the Marais district's Synagogue de Nazareth or Saint-Jean Lutheran on rue de Grenelle, travelers will appreciate Cahill's colorful histories of people and places, recommendations for libraries and cafés, and carefully plotted directions. Cahill's anecdotes reveal the multifaceted history of religious practice in Paris, including the "convulsionnaires" of the 18th century, who threw fits of contortion in the cemetery at Saint Médard, and the 1792 September Massacres, when revolutionaries beheaded dozens of monks. Cahill focuses heavily on Catholic churches, and while she includes Lutheran, Muslim, and Jewish sites, her engagement with those is comparatively superficial, as when she reduces Lutheranism to an aesthetic of "simplicity" and "symbolism." Despite shallow takes on faith traditions outside of Catholicism, this succeeds in cutting its own path as a unique travel guide.
