7th-century Roman columns at Saint-Pierre de Montmartre

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre | 2, Rue du Mont Cenis, 75018 Paris (Map)

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is one of the oldest churches in Paris. Located just next to La Basilique du Sacré Coeur, it was built on the site of a Roman temple and consecrated in 1147! Wow! That's old. These days Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is mostly known for the four Roman columns dating from the 7th century that are still standing inside.

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is extremely dark inside, making non-flash photography almost impossible (and of course, flash photography is not allowed in this and pretty much all churches). Here's the only photo I was able to get of one of the columns that's any good at all:

Another great thing about Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is its ornate (albeit fairly modern) door:

Like I mentioned, Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is right around the corner from Sacré Coeur. The church entrance faces a small, quaint old town square called the Place du Tertre, which is full of artists sketching portraits of tourists; you will definitely be approached about this, usually by an eccentric type carrying a big clip-board and some charcoal. Anyway, whether or not you feel like shelling out the Euros for a portrait, this whole area is neat and totally worth exploring. It really feels like a little slice of Old Paris.

Enjoy!

- Manning