SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

The Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is in the 6th arrondissement of Paris and was consecrated in 558 by the Bishop of Paris. In the Middle Ages the village of Saint-Germain lay beyond the city walls of Paris.

The saints shown adorn the tops of the columns on either side of the nave of the abbey. Their expressions invite speculation - are they disappointed with the number of communicants who have arrived for the service, their lack of interest in the sermon, or is it their meagre contribution in the collection plate?

OJ