Saturday, February 08, 2014

Paris - Eglise Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis

Wandering Around The Cottage - February Edition - 3 - 


I hope none of you are still in their pajamas today, because we're going to church for that last part of our Paris day trip.


Bon, j'espère que personne n'est encore en pyjama aujourd'hui car je vous emmène à l'église pour cette dernière partie de notre visite de Paris.


As you go out of the Hôtel Carnavalet we visited previously, there's a church at the end of the street.


Quand on sort de l'Hôtel Carnavalet que nous avons visité la fois précédente, il y a une église au bout  de la rue.


It's Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis church. It was very famous in the 17th century and it's the church Mme de Sévigné went to when she was in Paris. It also happens to be one of my favourite Parisian churches.


C'est Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis. Elle était très à la mode au XVIIe siècle et c'est l'église que fréquentait Mme de Sévigné lorsqu'elle résidait à Paris. C'est aussi une de mes églises parisiennes préférées.


The architecture is very different from the medieval architecture we saw when we visited Notre-Dame de Paris. It's very classical and I love the round lines and the feeling of serenity that comes from it.


L'architecture est très différente de l'architecture médiévale que l'on avait pu voir lors de notre visite de Notre-Dame de Paris. C'est un style classique avec plus de rondeurs et j'aime la sérénité qui se dégage du lieu lorsqu'on y entre.


My favourite feature is of course the magnificent dome. I don't know if you can see it well on the picture but on the farthest part of it, there's a sun painted on a dark blue background.


J'adore bien évidemment le dôme époustouflant de l'église et surtout, je ne sais pas si vous pouvez bien le voir sur mes photos, le soleil peint sur fond bleu foncé dans le "plafond" de la partie la plus haute.


Now, when Mme de Sévigné used to go to church there, a preacher was very famous, Louis Bourdaloue. His lectures, which he said with his eyes closed and in a very theatrical manner, brought many people to the church, and especially many women! 


A l'époque où Mme de Sévigné fréquentait cette église, y prêchait Louis Bourdaloue, célèbre pour prononcer ses sermons les yeux clos, mais d'une façon extrêmement théâtrale, ce qui amenait beaucoup de monde dans l'église, et notamment beaucoup de femmes.


But his lectures were very, very long, so women took to church a little porcelain contenant that they would put under their skirts so they could pee if they needed to! This contenant was quickly called a "bourdaloue" after the name of the preacher. It's even said that it later gave the word "loo" in English, from the end of the word.


Mais ses sermons étaient bien longs et les femmes prirent l'habitude d'emporter à l'église un petit récipient en porcelaine qu'elles pouvaient glisser sous leurs jupes pour soulager leur vessie. Ce récipient s'est vite appelé un "bourdaloue" d'après le nom du prédicateur. Babette, une variante du pot de chambre à ajouter à tes collections?


What? You know me, there was no way I wasn't going to tell you that story! Still, I'd like to thank one of my colleague who reminded me of it last week, as I had completely forgotten about it!

Un grand merci à un de mes collègues qui m'a reparlé la semaine dernière de cette anecdote que j'avais complètement oubliée!

I'd like to tell you that my love of history brought me to that church when I was a student... But actually, it was my love of china (already)! The church is facing an adorable china shop where I bought my everyday Sologne china set, one plate at a time and one day, plate in hand, I decided to push the door of the church and fell in love with the place. I went back to that shop on that December trip and look how I was welcomed!


J'aimerais vous dire que mon amour pour l'histoire m'avait conduite jusqu'à cette église quand j'étais étudiante... Mais en réalité, c'est mon amour de la vaisselle (déjà) qui m'a permis cette découverte. En effet, l'église est située en face du magasin de vaisselle où j'achetais mon premier service en porcelaine de Sologne, assiette par assiette, quand les finances le permettaient. J'y suis retournée à l'occasion de cette journée parisienne et j'y ai été accueillie à bras ouverts!

I know it's been a long post, but may I just add that sadly, due to the awful winter storms we've had this year, a wall from the castle of Pontivy I showed you there collapsed. It's a sad day for building lovers. But my heart goes first of all to all the Britons that are flooded.

Je sais que cet article est déjà long, mais je tenais juste à vous dire que suite aux nombreuses tempêtes que nous subissons cet hiver, un mur extérieur du château de Pontivy, que je vous avais emmené visiter ici, s'est effondré. C'est un triste jour pour ce monument historique. Mais je pense surtout à ceux dont les maisons sont inondées. Irma, tu es dans mes pensées et je t'envoie toute l'énergie que je peux!

See you soon,

A bientôt,

I'm sharing the funny story linked to this church with:

Linky Party            Dwellings-the Heart of You Home             My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia                    
A Return to Loveliness       Lavender Garden Cottage    Ivy and Elephants                              
                
Rooted In Thyme                home and garden button             Join me on Fridays and see where we've all been!   


43 comments:

  1. Unbelievable!!! Even if it was Brad Pitt giving the speech, I wouldn't bring a portable loo with me! LOL!! So interesting Magali! I agree the church looks fantastic and I'm a huge fan of any ancient church and love knowing stories about them and details! Love the tour dear!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for finishing the lovely tour and for another history lesson. I had never heard of bourdaloue's, they're very ornate aren't they. I always assumed loo was just short for lavatory so I went and read all sorts of interesting facts about toilets !
    These storms are causing so much havoc aren't they, and the flooding in the west country is just devastating, my heart goes out to them too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's funny about the loo!

    I love old churches and cathedrals, and love to take photos when they are unlocked. Of course many of France's are much older than ones here in the southwest. We do have some missions from late 1600s and 1700s next door in New Mexico and one down in Tucson.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, thanks for another loving tour and a fun history lesson about the bourdaloue - that is hysterically funny.

    Seeing the beautiful church made me think about many of the churches that are popping up in my area - in old warehouse building and even an old grocery store. They don't build churches the way they used to.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry but I am in pjs. I'm sure God won't mind ;). Sorry about the church wall and the flooding sounds nasty too. It's been -28 plus windchill here - hence the pjs. Thank you for the tour. I love the beautiful old churches. Xox

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amazing buildings and that shop - I could spend some time there for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful church! Laughing about the portable loo...reminds me of a story my mother told me about a great aunt. Can't imagine peeing like that. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Churches are some of the most beautiful structures in the world, and this one is no exception. There is something about it that screams 'French'. Sadly, few churches that are being built today bear a resemblance to the beauty of the older ones...but what else is new?

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a reward for holding very long sermons - having named a special piece of china after you. I hope Monsieur Bourdaloue was pleased by this honour. Why he closed his eyes I don´t understand - in a church as beautiful as this? With so many women admiring him?

    Have a nice sunday, I hope that storm is over now (it was all over Munich last night, but had lost most of its fury already)


    Yours Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  10. I guess "If ya gotta pee ya gotta pee!" I thought they were gravy boats which kinda worries me as I was thinking of buying a gravy boat from a thrift shop but I think I will hold off on that and stick to using my measuring cup as a gravy server. On a sad note, how horrible to see a part of history fall :(

    ReplyDelete
  11. I guess my question is, "What did they do with the contents of the contenant after they used it?"

    Very interesting post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Merci pour cette belle visite de Paris! J'ai entendu pour le chateau de Pontivy , c'est vraiment malheureux!
    Bonne fin de journée . Tinou

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh I would love to be in that shop!! Looks fascinating.
    How sad to think of that wall coming down..hopefully they will re-build?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow--I can't imagine being in church so long you need a container to pee into, but I guess if one is highly devout . . . In any event, I loved the street leading to the church, the interior of the church itself--what beautiful chandeliers--and then the china shop afterward. Sorry to hear of the wall coming down, and flooding. Today I am snow and ice-bound at home--the roads are way too icy for cars to travel, so it was nice to take a trip with you instead, Magali!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is such an awesome post and I learned so much history today! Thank you for letting me tag along with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed reading about that church and its funny history!

      Delete
  16. So sad about that castle wall. I've been hearing about the awful winter over there. I hope things get better soon.
    We are expecting some snow (again) starting tonight and going into tomorrow and Thursday. While I am REALLY looking forward to it, we have a trip planned this weekend and hope we are able to leave the house on Thursday evening.
    I must say, I love that you shared that funny part of the history of the church with us. That is just hilarious.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Loved the tour and I got a kick out of seeing how these little loos are so beautifully decorated.
    Traci

    ReplyDelete
  18. Trop beaux ces "bourdaloue"s, j'en ai quelques uns, mais pas aussi jolis que ceux que tu montres, les miens sont en porcelaine blanche & un autre en tôle émaillé & marbrée, ça me fait toujours rire car je trouve que ça ressemble à une grosse saucière. Chez nous en Provence, on les appelle des "pissadou"s. En attendant, ceux-ci me font baver d'envie.
    Passe une bonne soirée. Bises. Babette

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aloha, I love the story with the loo, fascinating little anecdote...and I do love that little church small but yet grand and accessible...enjoyed your post !

    ReplyDelete
  20. Of course I didn't wear my pj's to church, don't you remember I was all dressed up! I so enjoy our trip and didn't want it to end! I never heard about the bourdaloue before, but I know I would of had one since now that I am older I would of needed one. When I go out I find out where the "loo's" are. I like this church so much, it's smaller and I am so drawn to this setting. Big and over powering is overwhelming for me, I would feel very much at home here. I also love that street, how great it was to walk down it with you! I always experience so much with you on our journeys together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well since you "need" one, I'll tell you first thing if I find a bourdaloue for the shop!
      Thanks for your regular visits and your nice comments!

      Delete
  21. The priest where I used to go would talk and talk and talk! I'm surprised we didn't all sit there wearing adult diapers just in case!! Beautiful church! So sad about the wall collapsing....

    xoxo
    -andi

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for sharing these beautiful tours...the architecture is so amazing. There is nothing like that here in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just want to say thank God for adult diapers! What did they do with the full cup while waiting? Interesting and informative post. Thanks, Martha

    ReplyDelete
  24. How interesting! For someone like me who probably pees about 12 times a day, I think I would definitely need diapers :).

    I wish we had buildings like this in the US. Thank you for the lovely, educational tour Magali! It's always such a pleasure to see the world through your eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is a stunning church...I can see why it's one of your favorites. Never heard of a bourdaloue before, but what a handy device! I think they should come back into fashion!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful pictures, Magali! I visited this church with my mom in 2003 but little did we know about the story of the boudaloue :)))

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a charming and fun post. I am making it one of my Picks of the Week. I have a link to your site and a small picture linking back here on my post Paris in my Heart. Please let me know if this is unacceptable to you and I will remove it. You remain one of my favorite blogs. Best wishes for a week full of blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I'm really flattered you're linking back here in your post! Thank you so much!

      Delete
  28. Now why don't they teach history like this in school??!! Magali, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this post, for its beautiful images, exquisite architecture, and captivating narrative! I don't think I blinked once while reading, in case I missed a word!! I don't know how those Parisian ladies managed to be so 'precise' with their little makeshift loos; another thing French women just do better than the rest of us, I guess! C'est la vie, mon ami!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

    Poppy

    Thanks for this most intriguing tour!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  29. Magali, I've been meaning to stop by for days. Glad I'm finally here. I'm catching up today with all I've missed.
    I absolutely love the view of the church's red door as you look down the street. I've long been a fan of red doors, so it caught my eye immediately. I'll pass on the "bourdaloue." ;)
    xoxo's

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a beautiful post Magali - as you know I can't get enough of this gorgeous city -
    Off to pin to my hearts content now !
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow, simply stunning! You are so lucky, I would love to spend a day in Paris - will get there eventually. Great post my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Very interesting post ! I love old church buildings.
    ...I think those 'bourdaloue' are too pretty to actually pee in them. Hihi :D
    Izabella.

    ReplyDelete
  33. absolutely gorgeous photos - thank you for taking us along! Beautiful church and china shop - how marvelous! So very sad about the collapse of the wall! Heartbreaking! I am delighted that you shared with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! Thanks for taking the time to visit!

      Delete
  34. Lovely church and tour! Funny story on the loo! Wonderful series of photo, thanks for sharing your trip!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Enjoyed the tour and the added extra with the 'loo' story.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Those must have been really loooooong sermons. I wonder if the ladies slipped the loos into place as they sat down or only when needed. And how in the world did they extricate it without sloshing its contents on their petticoats. It's a lovely church, but I think the loo story is what's going to stick in my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Such an interesting post.

    Great to have you at Oh, The PLACES I've been!

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete

It makes me so happy to read your comments! Let me know you stopped by!
J'adore lire vos commentaires. N'hésitez pas à vous joindre à cette discussion multi-lingue.