Cathédrale Saint-Louis, Versailles (must see)

The Cathédrale Saint Louis is a National Monument and it stands on the site of the former parish church of Saint Louis.

It was built in 1754 by Jacques Hardouin-Mansart and became a cathedral in 1790. The façade is Neo-classical in design with Doric and Corinthian columns, two bell towers and a dome with a spire in the form of a baluster over the Crossing.

In 1755 six bells were installed in the towers. These bells were named after the Queen Marie, the Princess Josephine of Savoy and four of King Louis 15th’s children: Adelaide, Louise, Sophie and Victoria.

During the French Revolution the bells were removed and melted down and the cathedral became a Temple of Abundance. It regained its status as a cathedral in 1843.

The cathedral has 17 side chapels: these are dedicated to the Dead, to Saint Julian, to Saint Genevieve and to Saint Peter. To the left of the transept are the chapels of Ecce Homo, Providence, Saint François, Saint Vincent, Saint Paul, St Joseph and the Sacred Heart.

To the right, is the Chapel of Baptism with its fonts, the Chapel of the Presentation of the Saint Virgin and the Chapel of Saint Charles. Beyond the transept, three chapels which surround the quire are dedicated to the Good Minister, to Saint Louis and to Saint John the Baptist.