Many a stroller could stroll around the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and miss the architectural nugget that is the Saint-Serge de Radonège church. Yes, some Parisian treasures are only revealed to the most inquisitive, and this statement makes perfect sense when it comes to this building! You’ll need a bit of flair to find this place of worship perched in the heart of the 19th arrondissement.
Saint-Serge de Radonège, the 19th arrondissement’s hidden nugget
Little-known to the general public and absent from tourist guides, the Orthodox church nestles at the end of a long lane at 93 rue de Crimée. Once you’ve pushed open an iron gate and wandered along a bucolic path – like a miniature pilgrimage – you’ll come face to face with this superb edifice with its distinctive style.
It’s hard to describe the building , which was originally a German Lutheran church, because it’s so unlike anything we’ve seen in Paris. Built like a chalet, Saint-Serge de Radonège is striking at first glance for its red-tinted brickwork, porch with facing staircases and low ceiling. Inside, a veritable festival of colors unfolds before our eyes, thanks in particular to the stained glass windows, decorations and frescoes that line the walls of the building.
A Russian Orthodox church during the first half of the 20th century, the building is now a theological institute dedicated to this denomination, where many priests and bishops have been trained. To discover this little corner of Paris, we advise you to visit on a Sunday, during the day of the Office, otherwise you’ll have to meet someone deigning to open the door. You can also punctuate your visit with a short stroll around its bucolic, verdant setting.
📍Location: Église Saint-Serge-de-Radonège – 93, rue de Crimée, 75019