Eglise Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (Church of Saint Julian the Poor), Paris

Less than 200 meters away from Notre-Dame, on the Left Bank of the River Seine, stands one of the most ancient religious buildings in Paris. Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (the Church of Saint Julian the Poor) was begun circa 1165-1170 replacing either a Merovingian refuge for pilgrims or an older church on the site dating back to the 6th century AD. The temple is dedicated to Julian of Le Mans, a medieval French saint, whose own dedication to the cause of the poor was considered exemplary.

The Romanesque-style building was constructed in stages, from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and was designed in the conservative tradition prevalent during the rule of King Louis the Younger. The architecture is said to have been inspired by either the Notre-Dame Cathedral or the Saint-Pierre de Montmartre church. Over the years, the building was modified several times, ultimately resulting in a significantly smaller structure than originally planned. The church has piers replicating those found in Notre-Dame, and the chapiters carved with images of leaves and harpies; the choir area is covered by an iconostasis.

Originally Roman Catholic, the church was ceded to the Melkite Catholic (Arab and Middle Eastern) community in 1889. In preparation for this, significant restoration was carried out. Presently, apart from being a place of worship, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre serves as a venue for concerts, featuring classical and other types of music.

Tip:
North of the church, in René Viviani Square, stands a locust tree, the oldest tree in Paris. It was planted in 1602 by Jean Robin, gardener-in-chief during the reign of kings Henry III, Henry IV, and Louis XIII. Also known as the "Lucky Tree of Paris", it is thought to bring years of good luck to those who gently touch its bark.