Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a Roman Catholic church on Place Sainte-Geneviève in Paris’s Latin Quarter, directly beside the Panthéon. Its Gothic and Renaissance details reward a closer look: inside, find the finely carved stone rood screen and its twin spiral staircases, stained-glass windows and the shrine of Sainte-Geneviève, Paris’s patron saint. The church also contains the tombs of Blaise Pascal and Jean Racine. Its smaller scale makes it a quieter architectural stop alongside the imposing Panthéon.
A church beside the Panthéon
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont stands on Place Sainte-Geneviève in the Latin Quarter, next to the Panthéon. The first church on this site dates to the 13th century. The present building took shape across the 15th to 17th centuries, giving it a blend of late Gothic and Renaissance elements.
Look at the façade for its carved stonework and large rose window. Inside, the high arches, stained glass and stone details give the church a different scale and character from the monumental Panthéon across the street.
The rood screen and spiral staircases
The church’s most distinctive feature is its finely carved stone rood screen, which crosses the nave and separates it from the choir. It is the only surviving rood screen in Paris. The paired spiral staircases rise on either side of the central arch, with delicate stonework that is easy to miss if you hurry through.
Rood screens once marked the boundary between the nave and the liturgical area. In this church, the screen also served for readings or singing. Take a moment to examine the carving and the staircases from different parts of the nave.
The shrine of Sainte-Geneviève
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is closely associated with Sainte-Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. Her shrine is inside the church. The relics once connected with the shrine are no longer all present, so the shrine should not be mistaken for a tomb containing her complete remains.
The church also holds the tombs of Blaise Pascal and Jean Racine. These are among the people associated with the site that visitors can seek out during a walk through the interior.
Planning your visit
The church is an active place of worship, so keep your voice low and dress respectfully. An early visit can leave more room to look closely at the architecture. The Panthéon is directly across the street, making the two sites straightforward to combine in one outing.
The north steps have a connection to the film Midnight in Paris. Film fans may recognize the setting, while the church’s interior offers its own reasons to stop, particularly the rood screen, stained glass and shrine.
FAQ
Where is Saint-Étienne-du-Mont?
It is on Place Sainte-Geneviève in Paris’s Latin Quarter, directly beside the Panthéon.
What should I see inside the church?
Look for the carved stone rood screen and its spiral staircases, stained-glass windows, the shrine of Sainte-Geneviève and the tombs of Blaise Pascal and Jean Racine.
How long does a visit take?
Allow about 30 to 60 minutes to explore the church interior.
Is Saint-Étienne-du-Mont connected to Midnight in Paris?
Yes. The church’s north steps appear in the film.
