It is located just behind the Panthéon, on a square that many people pass through without necessarily stepping inside. Yet Saint-Étienne-du-Mont boasts one of the most unique interiors in Paris. Its main treasure stands in the middle of the nave: a massive carved-stone rood screen, the only one still preserved in a Parisian church.
The current building was rebuilt between 1492 and 1626, at a time when Gothic architecture was gradually giving way to the Renaissance. This blend is evident even on the façade: a portal inspired by antiquity, Renaissance lines, and a Gothic pinnacle coexist in a design that is quite difficult to compare to the other major churches in the capital.
The last rood screen in Paris is located at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
The structure of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont remains Gothic, while its decoration is already fully Renaissance. It is this combination—particularly rare in Paris—that immediately gives the church’s interior its distinctive character.
A few meters further on is another major feature: the chapel dedicated to Saint Genevieve, patron saint of Paris. Most of the original relics were destroyed during the Revolution, but the church today preserves relics from other shrines as well as the remaining stones of her former sarcophagus.
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont also preserves the memory of two major figures in French literature and thought. Blaise Pascal is buried there, while the remains of Jean Racine were transferred there after the destruction of the Abbey of Port-Royal-des-Champs.
Four-century-old stained-glass windows currently undergoing restoration
Be sure to also take a look at the ossuary gallery, where an exceptional collection of stained-glass windows created between 1612 and 1622 still remains. Twenty-four were originally installed; only twelve still exist today. Their uniqueness lies particularly in the use of painted enamel, a technique that allows for particularly subtle shades and fine details.
Since 2020, these stained-glass windows have been the subject of a major restoration campaign. By early 2026, nine of the twelve had already been restored to their original colors, with each window requiring a restoration budget of approximately 60,000 euros.
Location: Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church, Place Sainte-Geneviève, 75005 Paris