Paris 19th August

This morning we had a very early start, breakfast early and we had left for Montparnasse Station just after 8.00am.  We were heading to Versailles.  We had not been there before.  Sam had organised our journey, we caught the train from Montparnasse on Line 13 alighting at Duroc then changing to Line 10 to Javel Andre Citroen.  We then crossed the road to the RER station called Javel to take us to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche.  We arrived about 9.15 and made our way to the Chateau.  I saw a place selling tickets on the way so we popped in there and we in readiness for when we arrived.  Glad we had done this as the line for tickets was extremely long. Pretty much in straight away, through security etc. We were told it takes about 5 1/2 hrs to do the entire Versailles experience, and it took five and half hours exactly.  It was quite astounding and I am sure most who have seen it would agree.  There are no words really to describe it, perhaps excess on a grand scale.  The day was perfect weather wise we did the gardens also on a grand scale and the Grand Trianon, Sam and I thought it more lovely than the Chateau.  We headed back the way we came three train journeys arriving back at 4.15 had a small rest then headed off again about 6.00 I wanted to go to Mass at Notre Dame des Champs about ten minutes from our hotel, while I was there Sam headed along to do the laundry I went down there after Mass and we had something to eat on the way back.  We did at least 1000 steps (stairs) today I did give up counting after 500 because I knew I had to do them on the way back.

History of Notre-Dame des Champs

On the site of today’s parish there used to be a temple for the worshipping of the Latin god Mercury.  After the first apostles began to evangelize the Paris area, the temple was dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  It was given the name of Notre-Dame des Vignes (Our Lady of the Vineyards).

King Robert, called “Pious Robert” (996-1031) then had the church rebuilt in order to honour the site were Saint Denis was said to have celebrated the Sacred Mysteries.

At this time the Benedictine Brothers of Noirmoutier were granted permission to minister the church, where they established a priory.  The vineyards round the priory were dug up, and the church began to be officially known as “Notre-Dame des Champs”.

In 1603 ,the Benedictines gave Notre-Dame des Champs over to some Carmelites from Spain.  Their monastery was among the most famous places of the century of Louis XIV.

With the Revolution (1789-1799), the convent was shut down and the church pulled down. Only the memory of the church remained, and its name in the rue Notre-Dame des Champs. 

The parish of Notre-Dame des Champs was founded in 1858, its only place of worship a wooden chapel.

The first stone of today’s church was laid on March 17, 1867.

The church was blessed for the first time in 1876.

Cardinal Amette, Archbishop of Paris, consecrated the church on March 25^th 1912.  

I am now all organised for the next leg of the journey ironing done just been watching the blinking lights on the Tour de Eifel which is directly in line to our room. I think when we get home we will sleep for three months, I will anyway.  Beautiful day hard work though we have not wasted a moment so far.  Sabine and Sam