This church is right across the street from the back of the Louvre; and when the Louvre was still a royal palace, Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois was its church. It includes five centuries of styles: a Romanesque tower; a Gothic choir; a Flamboyant nave and porch; and a door, 256 feet of stained glass, and some rose windows from the Renaissance period. Only the foundation stones remain from the original 11th century belfry. The two magnificent 16th century altarpieces are probably Flemish in origin and represent scenes from Christ’s life. 
The saddest moment in the church’s history was in 1572 on the evening of what was to become known as the St. Bartholomew Massacre. The tower bells rang, signaling the supporters of Catherine de Medicis, Charles IX, and the future Henri III to launch a slaughter of thousands of Huguenots invited to celebrate the marriage of Henri de Navarre to Marguerite de Valois (she was the daughter of Catherine de Medicis and Henri II). Her husband became King Henri IV but their marriage, which was arranged and very unhappy, was subsequently annulled; there were no children. Henri IV then married Marie de Medicis (I don’t know the relationship between Catherine and Marie de Medicis).
Very confusing, I know...
More trivia: During the Revolution in 1791, King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, were forced to attend Easter mass here. They wanted to spend Holy Week at Saint Cloud and away from the tensions of Paris. However, when they tried to leave in their carriage, the fury of the Parisian citizens prevented their departure and forced them to return to the Tuileries in fear for their lives.
On a happier note, we hope, the actress Eva Longoria and her professional basketball-playing groom, Tony Parker, will have their religious wedding ceremony performed here on July 7th.
