100 Churches in Paris and elsewhere

This is a 17th century church well-known in connection with Greyfriars Bobby, the dog who just  couldn’t manage to move on. Bits fell down and got rebuilt over the centuries. In the mid 19th century this church was remarkable in that it was the first one in Scotland since the Reformation to have an organ and stained glass put in – contradicting a traditionally less decorated and less funky ceremonial practice. There is a plaque commemorating the novelist poet and historian Walter Scott, of Ivanhoe fame (this was his kirk when he was young). There is a fine modern altar table and pulpit. You will also find an explanation of the traditional cutty stool in the church, on which one had to sit, shamed, in case of having committed adultery. Also handy for throwing at bishops if things are getting really theological (Jenny Geddes did this). Today, the church   has services in both Gaelic and in English. Just outside the church is a plaque commemorating the dead in the terrible Union Car

  St Merry is a 16th century  church just round the corner from the Pompidou centre. It has beautiful Gothic volumes, and interesting enamel Stations of the Cross, as well as an ornate 18th century pulpit which looks good to preach from. A number of fine 17th century paintings can be found. One of the modern sculptures « Christ mocked » is particularly beautiful. The saint was a seventh century monk, also called Médéric. He came from an illustrious family and was given to the Church when he was a teenager. He became quite well-known for his miracles. Later, for fear of becoming too proud, he retired to the forest (like you do), before doing a pilgrimage in old age and releasing prisoners he came across on the way. The Church was badly damaged during the French Revolution, and was used as a gunpowder factory for a while. There is a plaque to commemorate priests killed during the French Revolution. I last visited in the year of the Olympic Games. A number of churches in Paris used the th