7 Stunning Niche Churches in Paris

When traveling to Paris, don’t just remember Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre—there are these lesser-known churches that are well worth a visit. Today, I’m sharing my 7 favorite churches, each with a unique style, and every one deserves a moment of your time. 1️⃣ Cathédrale Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky (Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral) 📍 8th arrondissement | ⛪️ Russian Orthodox cathedral Paris’ only Orthodox cathedral, built in 1876. With onion domes and golden crosses, it once hosted Picasso’s wedding and exudes a strong artistic vibe. 📷 Tip: The domes look stunning at sunset, bathed in golden light! 2️⃣ Église Saint-Philippe-du-Roule 📍 Near Champs-Élysées, 8th arrondissement | ⛪️ Neoclassical style Inside, the tall white vaults and minimalist lines make it a very "modern" old church in Paris. Inspired by ancient Roman temples, it has a huge colonnade at the entrance and a large ceiling painting window inside—it’s incredibly striking. 3️⃣ Église Saint-Sulpice 📍 6th arrondissement | ⛪️ Baroque style Paris’ second-largest church, after Notre-Dame. It appeared in The Da Vinci Code and is also one of the actual geographical meridian reference points. The organ performances here are amazing. Plus, the ceiling paintings by Delacroix are worth coming to photograph. 4️⃣ Église Saint-Louis-en-l'Île 📍 Île Saint-Louis | ⛪️ Hidden niche church Located on Île Saint-Louis in the Seine, it’s quiet and elegant—an artistic corner in Paris’ everyday bustle. The internal gold details are exquisite, very Baroque. 🍦 There’s a famous ice cream shop nearby that’s delicious—definitely worth a stop on the way! 5️⃣ Église Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais 📍 Near Hôtel de Ville | ⛪️ Gothic-Baroque hybrid style The exterior is Paris’ earliest Baroque-style church. 📷 Tip: At sunset, light through the stained glass makes the altar glow golden—super dreamy! 6️⃣ Église de la Madeleine (Madeleine Church) 📍 8th arrondissement | ⛪️ A church like a Greek temple Completely different from Gothic churches, its exterior is minimalist and symmetrical. It has a Byzantine dome, with exquisite mosaics and a circular nave inside. It’s a famous venue for high-end masses and often hosts classical concerts. 7️⃣ Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis 📍 Le Marais 400 years old, its architectural style blends French and Italian Baroque. Louis XIII personally participated in its foundation-laying, so it has a rich history. 📷 Tip: Outside the church are alleys and vintage shops—great for style photos that never go wrong. For all churches, it’s recommended to use a camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens. Also, remember to protect the highlights to avoid overexposure! #FranceTravel #France #FrenchLife #ClassicalArchitecture #Architecture #BeautyOfClassicalArchitecture #RegionalArchitecturalCulture #ArtAndArchitecture #ModernistArchitecture #HistoricalBuildingProtection #Paris