Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

Church Historic Paris church housing Saint Geneviève's chapel

Next to the Panthéon, Saint-Étienne-du-Mont contains the shrine of Sainte Geneviève and an intact Renaissance rood screen; visitors come for its painted ceilings, organ music and close views of Latin Quarter life.

Main image

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a Roman Catholic church in Paris’ 5th arrondissement, noted for its distinctive interior furnishings and its role in the Latin Quarter. The building combines late Gothic and early Baroque elements and retains important ecclesiastical furnishings.

A principal highlight is the ornate stone rood screen and the richly detailed choir area, plus chapels and stained glass that draw attention to the church’s sculptural work. The shrine and relics associated with Saint Geneviève are important devotional features and attract visitors interested in Parisian religious history.

The present church replaced earlier medieval structures and was built across late medieval and early modern periods, reflecting changes in liturgical layout and interior decoration. It has long served as a parish church for the neighborhood and a local pilgrimage site for devotees of Saint Geneviève.

The church stands in the Latin Quarter, immediately behind the Panthéon and within easy walking distance of major university and cultural sites in central Paris.

  • Location near the Panthéon: sits directly behind the Panthéon in Paris' Latin Quarter, so the church is commonly visited together with the Panthéon and nearby museums.

What to See #

  • Rood screen and choir: houses a well-preserved 16th and 17th century carved stone rood screen and choir that are unusually prominent for a Paris parish church, visible from the nave entrance.
  • Shrine of Saint Geneviève: contains the shrine and relics associated with Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, located in a chapel within the church complex.
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
Place Sainte-Geneviève, 75005 Paris, France
48.8465, 2.3480
Open to visitors most days; Mass and service schedules vary (check local listings)

How to Get to Saint-Étienne-du-Mont #

Located in the Latin Quarter, near the Panthéon. Closest metro: Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10) or Luxembourg (RER B); a short walk from these stops.

Tips for Visiting Saint-Étienne-du-Mont #

  • Climb the narrow spiral stair to the upper gallery for one of the best views of the church interior and the Panthéon across the street.
  • Note the tomb of Sainte Geneviève and the 17th-century choir stalls - details often missed by hurried visitors.
  • Attend a choral evensong if possible; the church's acoustics suit vocal music beautifully.

Best Time to Visit Saint-Étienne-du-Mont #

Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting with pleasant weather and manageable crowds.

Spring/Autumn
April-June & Sept-Oct · 10-20°C
Comfortable for walking and fewer crowds than summer.
Winter
Nov-Feb · 0-8°C
Quieter interiors and chance to hear services without tourist interruption.

Weather & Climate near Saint-Étienne-du-Mont #

Climate

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (660 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
-12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 22°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
15.8h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
15.5h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 21°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

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