Church of Saint-Louis-en-Isle - the only one on the island of Saint-Louis. This is one of the smallest parishes in Paris. If you do not raise their heads, just do not understand that a simple austere building - the church. But from a distance clearly visible spire, all in holes like cheese. This is not a decoration but a necessity - that did not happen as in 1701 with a chapel that stood on the site of the present church. Then, because of the strong wind (which is not uncommon on the island) was blown away, killing several people.

Old chapel called Notre-Dame-en-Isle (Our Lady of the Island). Then the island was called Notre Dame. They renamed it in 1725 in honor of St. Louis IX. According to legend, the church canonized the king loved to pray in this desolate place. It was here that he took the cross before going to Tunisia, where he died. The new church, designed by Francois Le Vaud and consecrated in 1726, was named after the saint - Saint-Louis-en-Isle (Saint-Louis, on the island).

Her story has a tragic pages of the French Revolution. Cure Korentin Corolla took the oath of the Republic, the church was closed and looted, all metal parts are sent to be melted down at the Mint. Survived only a statue of Our Lady and Child with St. Genevieve Francois Ladata work, but was renamed in freedom and equality. The church became a book warehouse, then sold it to an individual. The new owner, named Fontaine, allowed his father Korentinu secretly serve Mass.

After signing in 1801 the Concordat Korentin father long ago renounced the oath again became a priest in his parish. A March 10, 1805, he solemnly took the Pope Pius VII - The Pope, who arrived in Paris for the coronation of Napoleon, celebrated Mass at the Saint-Louis-en-Isle. Damaged walls covered with tapestries. Part of the tapestry with the arms of the pontiff still kept behind the altar.

The restoration of the church was partly due to the city, in part - at the expense of the next priest, father of Louis-Auguste Bossuet (he even sold his huge library). Now fully renovated, the interior is a fine example of the Baroque style. The eight paintings in the baptistry depicting scenes from the life of Christ, belong to the Rhine school of the XVI century. Luxurious body - new, built in 2005.

The atmosphere in Saint-Louis-en-Isle - peaceful, quiet, no crowds of tourists, it is an example of a normal parish of the Christian church.