Notre-Dame de Lorette – Paris Hidden Gems
Paris is full of incredible monuments. When visiting Paris for the first time (or any city for that matter) we tend to focus on the main sights and main monuments: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera Garnier, or Notre-Dame de Paris. However, there is a vast amount of hidden gems all around Paris, that many do not know about.
The hidden gem of the day is Notre-Dame de Lorette. This catholic church built in 1836 is hiding in plain sight; if you take the time to go inside, you will most likely be blown away by the beauty it holds.
Let’s discover it together in this post!
Notre-Dame de Lorette Location
The church is located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, next to the Paris Saint-Lazare train station, and close to other famous monuments such as the Opera Garnier or the Place Vendôme.
I’ve pinned the exact location of Notre-Dame de Lorette on the map below, right next to the Rue Notre-Dame de Lorette:
It’s one of the most beautiful churches of Paris from the inside. Surrounded by buildings, it’s often overlooked by passersby, unknowing of the beauty hidden inside. So, if you have time when visiting Paris, you should check it out. Plus, visiting churches is one of the few free things to do in Paris, which adds charm to this activity.
How to Get to Notre-Dame de Lorette?
The best way to get to the church is by train:
- take the line 12 to “Notre-Dame-de-Lorette” metro
- or the line 7 to “Le Peletier”
Alternatively, you can walk from the main spots: 8 minutes walk from Saint-Lazare, 12 minutes from the Opera, and 20 minutes from the Sacré-Coeur.
And if you’re staying in the Hoxton Hotel Paris, this stunning church is only a 15-minute walk away!
Notre-Dame de Lorette Facts
Before we get started with the visit to this Paris hidden gem, let’s kick things off with a few facts about the place, to put you in the mood:
- Notre-Dame de Lorette was initially a chapel, built in the 17th century. The chapel was destroyed during the French Revolution around 1790
- The construction of the church started in 1822, and the church was consecrated in 1836
- The famous French painter Claude Monet was baptized in Notre-Dame de Lorette
- The church was classified as a Historic Monument on December 28th 1984
- It was used as a prison during the French Revolution
- Although its facade is quite stark, it’s one of Paris’s most colorful churches inside thanks to its beautiful frescoes.
As we walked up the Rue Laffitte, we could already see Notre-Dame de Lorette in the distance, at the end of the street. I absolutely love going to Notre-Dame de Lorette via this street, as you can see the Sacré-Coeur on top; such a glorious view.
When we got closer, we realized that the church was really surrounded by buildings. As soon as you go through the door, it’s like you step into a different world. We left behind the hustle and bustle of the city to enter a very quiet and peaceful place.
Right as we entered, we were taken away by the beauty of the church. Immediately after the entrance (you can see the entrance on the bottom right in the picture above), there is a beautiful chapel: the Baptism Chapel.
The whole chapel is decorated with incredible paintings, and completed by a sumptuous dome above.
The four corners of the church have magnificent domes just like the one on the picture above. The 4 domes have an opening on top, with a window that let the light into the church, creating a peaceful mood.
The nave of Notre-Dame de Lorette is absolutely splendid. Tall columns on each side lead your eyes to the choir. On each side, above the columns, paintings relate the life of Mary. To complete this already wonderful place, there is one of the craziest ceiling I’ve ever seen.
The ceiling is so detailed, I could spend so much time looking at it. It was made by Hubert-Nicolas Lamontagne, and is decorated with Virgin Mary’s initials, and the Holy Spirit dove.
What to visit after Notre-Dame de Lorette?
If you’re trying to plan your visit in Paris, and wondering what you should do after your visit to Notre-Dame de Lorette, don’t worry: I’ve got you covered.
If you want to explore more churches, you’ll find in the same area:
- Eglise de la Trinité (6mn walk)
- Eglise de la Madeleine (18mn walk)
You’ll also find some nice places to explore within walking distance:
- Galeries Lafayettes rooftop (8mn walk)
- Place Vendôme (16mn walk)
So there you have it, my special guide of Notre-Dame de Lorette, one of the many hidden gems you can find in Paris. I hope you enjoyed discovering this beautiful church, and learning more about it.
If you’re going to visit Notre-Dame de Lorette, make sure you tag your Instagram photos with #kevmrc so I can see them!
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