71 Paris 7th arrondissement - Eglise Saint Pierre du Gros Caillou.

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This church is not far behind the Eiffel Tower. Its name at first sight appears to be « Saint Peter of the big pebble ». In fact « gros caillou » is the name of the neighbourhood, no doubt going back to a well known rocky milestone back in the day. Initially a church was built for this neighbourhood in the 18th century. When the French Revolution came it was almost finished, but got demolished. A few decades later a new church was built.

Two noteworthy things about it – the first Mayor of revolutionary Paris is buried here, and the confessionals were designed … by a protestant.

The four bells are named Clémence, Constance, Patience and Prudence. Clémence is the fattest and weighs fifteen and a half hundredweight.


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