St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church
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The St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church of Paris sheltered one of the most famous dynasties of French musicians during more than two centuries since 1653: the Couperin family.
On the side of the church still remains the house of the famous harpsichordists, organists and composers as well as a plate commemorating their address. The prestigious organ of Louis and François Couperin exists still today inside the Church. Built by the most famous factors of the time of which Clicquot, it is perfectly representative of the French baroque school.
This church is one of oldest of Paris. Its existence is mentioned at this place starting from 4th century. Formerly seat of the powerful brotherhood of the wine merchants, it takes its today appearance starting from 16th century.Its frontage will be completed much later, about 1620, testifying to a perfect control of traditional esthetics.
Sad anecdote, March 29, 1918, a German shell fell on the roof of the Church, killing a hundred people. The place which is spread out in front of the staircases of the church was for a long time called "Crossroads of the Elm" bus since the Middle Ages a worthy elm, several times centennial, was rising in its center. The inhabitants neighborhood were accustomed to finding themselves there to exchange money. Several pictures of this legendary elm still remain, in the stalls of the Church and on some close buildings.
The side of the church is skirted by the street François Miron which preserves two of the oldest medieval houses of Paris, with numbers 11 and 13: Houses with the ensign of Faucheur and the ensign of the Sheep. They would date from 14th century. One can see their structure of wood discovered, which was prohibited at the time due to diffusion of fire.
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