You know it without really knowing it. The Église Saint-Sulpice, nestled in the heart of Paris’s 6ᵉ arrondissement, is a Baroque masterpiece located in the Odéon district. It has undergone major modifications, thanks in particular to a number of architects to whom we owe its final, highly spectacular appearance today. It became a diocesan cathedral after the fire that severely damaged Notre-Dame. But what is perhaps less well known is that it conceals true works of art by a very famous painter: Delacroix.
Works of art by Delacroix hidden in one of Paris’s most beautiful churches
For this special commission, the painter had to work on the church’s south chapel, with a rather rare theme for the time: the Holy Angels. He decided to depict Saint-Michel on the ceiling, the story of Jacob on the east wall, and the story of Heliodorus on the west wall. Eleven years after the commission, and after numerous delays, the chapel was finally inaugurated in 1861.
Damaged by the passage of time, the chapel was completely restored in 1977. A thorough cleaning of the works was necessary in 2015 and lasted over two years. Dust and pollution had dulled the paintings. The necessary refreshment restored the paintings to their bright, vibrant colors, thanks to a combination of wax and oil techniques.
You can now admire these monumental frescoes all year round, free of charge.
A church of a thousand treasures
While it’s true that Delacroix’s works are well worth a visit, the church also hides other pictorial treasures. The Chapelle Sainte-Geneviève, completely restored in 2025, was painted with a master’s hand by artist Louis Charles Timbal. Its gilded ceiling and decorations have been thoroughly cleaned. Jules-Eugène Lenepveu, responsible for the magnificent ceiling of the Opéra Garnier, also contributed to the church’s embellishment by decorating the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, restored in 2023.
As you can see, the Saint-Sulpice church is a jewel of Parisian heritage, and a must-see at least once in your life!
📍 Location: 2 rue Palatine, 75006 Paris