Eglise Saint-Eustache (Saint-Eustache Church), Paris

Constructed between 1532 and 1640, with foundations dating back to 1200, this imposing church was built as the market neighborhood's response to Notre-Dame. Despite its massive size, the church is squeezed into its surroundings. It features a fascinating blend of architectural styles, combining a Gothic exterior with remarkable flying buttresses and a Renaissance interior. The Gothic elements include intricate tracery windows and soaring vaulted ceilings, while the classical-styled facade was added between 1754 and 1788. Restorations were carried out in 1840 and more recently from 2016 to 2018.

Inside the church, on the east end (Rue Montmartre), you'll find Rubens's masterpiece "Pilgrims of Emmaus" (1611) displayed in a small chapel. Just two chapels to the left, there's Keith Haring's "The Life of Christ," a striking triptych in bronze with a white-gold patina. Haring's artwork was donated to the church after his death in 1990, in recognition of the parish's efforts to assist those affected by AIDS. On the Rue Montmartre side of the church, keep an eye out for a small door leading to Saint Agnes's crypt, marked by a stone plaque indicating the year 1213 and a curled fish, symbolizing the patron's prosperity in the fishing industry.

Notably, this church houses the largest pipe organ in France. If you happen to be there on a Sunday afternoon, you might want to attend a free recital from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Additionally, check the church's website for information on concerts featuring The National Orchestra and the Radio France Concert Choir.