European Heritage Days 2021 at L’Oratoire du Louvre

Even though you may not be protestant, have you ever had the curiosity to visit a Protestant temple? The 38^th edition of European Heritage Days is the perfect occasion to do so with since you are invited to discover the historic protestant church of  L’Oratoire du Louvre on September 18 and 19, 2021.

Built from 1621 by the Cardinal de Bréulle, founder of the Congrégation des Prêtres de l'Oratoire, the church becomes the royal chapel of the Palais du Louvre in 1623. It is then given to Protestants in Paris by Napoleon in 1811. Note that the pulpit is original, and the drum and stalls from the Eglise Saint-Louis de Louvre and the main organs have been remade in 1960.

At 160 rue de Rivoli, by the church, rises the monument of admiral Gaspard de Coligny who died on the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572, this monumental statue made of Carrare marble has been erected in 1889 to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution.

• To be read
• Heritage Days 2024 in Paris and the Île-de-France region: the full programme for this year's event
• Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris (75): schedule of visits by arrondissement
• Journées du Patrimoine 2024: discover the most beautiful churches in Paris and the Île-de-France region

European Heritage Days 2021 at the Oratoire du Louvre:

• Recital by Concerts Gais - Saturday September 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Concerts Gais will perform a chamber music recital at the end of the day, dedicated to the relationship between the LGBT communities and religions.
  
  
• Introduction to the Oratoire du Louvre great organs - Sunday September 19 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  Concert performed by organ-players of the Oratoire du Louvre.

Also on the menu, self-guided tours of the temple, the chapels and the main sacristy, to discover this magnificent building in the heart of Paris, and find out more about Protestantism and its history. Let us go, friends, shall we?