The Church Saint-Louis-EN-l'ile is the only on the island of Saint-Louis. This is one of the smallest parishes of Paris. If you do not lift the head, just do not understand that the simple strict building – the Church. But the distance is visible the spire, covered in holes as Swiss cheese. It is not an ornament, but a necessity – lest, as in 1701, with a chapel that stood on the Church. Then from-for a strong wind (which is not uncommon on the island) has destroyed a roof, killed several people.

Old chapel called Notre-Dame-EN-l'ile (the lady on the island). Then, the island was named Notre Dame. Renamed it in 1725 in honor of St. Louis IX. According to the legend, canonized by the Church, the king loved to pray in this desolate place. It was here that he embraced the cross before going to Tunisia, where he died. New Church, built by the project of Francois Le In and consecrated in 1726, was named Saint – Saint-Louis-EN-l'ile (St.-Louis on the island).

The history of the tragic pages of the French revolution. The priest Corentin Corolla took the oath to the Republic, the Church was closed and looted, all metal parts are sent to be melted down at the Mint. The only thing that remained of the statue of the virgin and Child and St. Genevieve of the work of françois Ladata, but was renamed in Freedom and Equality. The Church became a book warehouse, then sold it to a private person. The new owner, a man named Fontaine, allowed the father Corentine secretly celebrate Mass.

After signing in 1801 the Concordat father Corentin, long ago renounced the oath, again became the priest in his parish. And on March 10, 1805, he solemnly took Pope Pius VII, Pope, arrived in Paris for the coronation of Napoleon, celebrated Mass in Saint-Louis-EN-l'ile. Damaged walls covered with tapestries. Part of the tapestry with the coat of arms of the Pontiff is still kept behind the altar.

Restoration of the Church was partly at the expense of the city, partly on the means of the next priest, father Louis-Auguste, bossue (he even sold his extensive library). Now completely renovated, the interior is a magnificent example of Baroque style. Eight paintings in the baptistery depicting scenes from the life of Christ, belong to the Rhenish school of the XVI century. Luxurious body is new, built in 2005.

The atmosphere in Saint-Louis-EN-l'ile – peaceful, quiet, no crowds of tourists, this is an example of an ordinary parish of the Christian Church.