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

Mike Aoun (2 months ago)
A historical tower in the middle of a public park. I haven’t been inside but i was told it is a nice climb, and will be doing so soon. It has a lot of history and gives its surrounding neighborhood a sense of uniqueness. You can also see the gargoyles and statues just passing by it.
V H (2 months ago)
Located in a beautiful Park/gardens, stands this lone structure (tower in the gothic style, erected in the 1500's) as a monument to what is left of a church destroyed in the late 1700's, the gardens are a perfect place to have a picnic lunch.
alice ineveryland (3 months ago)
The only grass area we could find that people were allowed to sit on. I'd recommend a picnic however it was very busy. Didn't know you can do a tour and didn't see anyone going in (Saturday)
Sue Chua (5 months ago)
I had the pleasure of visiting this hidden gem and left thoroughly delighted. It's important to note that it's only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and can be explored exclusively through guided tours (offered in French and occasionally in English). However, this minor inconvenience is easily outweighed by the rich experience it offers. During the tour, you'll delve deep into its history, witnessing how its purpose evolved over time. The presence of the statue of Blaise Pascal at its base adds an intriguing layer to its story. Most notably, the panoramic view of Paris it provides is simply breathtaking. I highly recommend this attraction to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Paris's heritage and a chance to admire its beauty from a unique vantage point. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!
Mohammad Ayoub (7 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.
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