Saint-Jacques Tower

Paris, France

Saint-Jacques Flamboyant Gothic tower is all that remains of the former 16th-century Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, which was demolished in 1797, during the French Revolution, leaving only the tower. What remains of the destroyed church of St. Jacques La Boucherie is now considered a national historic landmark.

The tower's rich decoration reflects the wealth of its patrons, the wholesale butchers of the nearby Les Halles market. The masons in charge were Jean de Felin, Julien Ménart and Jean de Revier. It was built in 1509 to 1523, during the reign of King Francis I. With a dedication to Saint James the Greater, the ancient church and its landmark tower welcomed pilgrims setting out on the road that led to Tours and headed for the way of St James, which led to the major pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela.

A relic of the saint preserved in the church linked it the more strongly and in modern times occasioned its listing in 1998 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO among the sites and structures marking the the pilgrimage routes in France that led like tributaries of a great stream headed towards Santiago in the northwest of Spain.

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Address

Rue de Rivoli 39B, Paris, France
See all sites in Paris

Details

Founded: 1509-1523
Category: Religious sites in France

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Mohammad Ayoub (4 months ago)
The Saint-Jacques Tower is majestic and is located close to the Chatelet in Paris. It is 58 meters high. The flamboyant Gothic-style bell tower was built between 1509 and 1523, and the Saint-Jacques Tower is the only vestige of the church of Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie. Beautiful sculptures are found at the top of this tower which is located in the middle of a quiet small square with beautiful plants and a few attractive benches. At the top are the four biblical symbols: the angel, the lion, the bull, the eagle, and the statue of Saint James the Great dressed as a pilgrim (4 meters high). The 58-meter-high Saint-Jacques Tower was originally placed on the side of the Church of Saint-Jacques de la Boucherie, which was destroyed during the Revolution. It is a very beautiful work of architecture. This bell tower is located in the middle of the first Parisian square that bears his name in the fourth arrondissement of Paris.
Willy Dinata (6 months ago)
The Saint Jacques Tower, a stunning Gothic edifice adorned with numerous gargoyles, is situated at the heart of Paris, right in the middle of the square that shares its name. Given its central location near the Seine, it provides unmatched vistas of Paris' main attractions. What sets it apart is its relatively moderate height compared to the Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse, affording visitors a more intricate and lucid perspective of the city.
H R (8 months ago)
If you are into history then touring this tower is an absolute must. Loved the tour guide explanation of things. Only thing I wish we could have spent longer time at the roof.
Khairur Azhan (10 months ago)
Saint-Jacques Tower stands as a testament to the rich history of Paris. It is the remains of a 16th-century church and served as a crucial stop along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Exploring the tower allows you to immerse yourself in the city's medieval past and connect with its vibrant heritage.
공과장 (Manager Kong) (10 months ago)
There is 54m high tower with 300 steps located in the heart of Paris. I always wondered what is this tower because there were not enough people who know this tower and I always wanted to visit this tower. You can visit here only by making a reservation and the number of visitors are limited up to 17, probably because of the limited area of top of the tower. If you like the view from the top, you will definitely like this tower. On the contrary to the beautiful outside decorations, inside the tower is almost empty.
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