A new description of Paris containing a particular account of all the churches, palaces, monasteries ... with all other remarkable matters in that great and famous city / translated out of French.

The Convent of the Carmes Dechaussez, or discalced Carmelite Friers.

THis Monastery was Founded about the beginning of the last Age, by the Libe∣ralities of certain Burgesses of Paris; who be∣stowed a small House, Situated in this place, on the Carmelite Friers, who came from Spain, and brought into France the Reform which St. Teresa had made in the Order of Mount Car∣mel. In the Year 1613 they began the Foun∣dation; and Mary de Medicis laid the first Stone of their Church, as we may perceive by

this Inscription, which was set over the place:

MARIA MEDICAE A MATER FUNDA∣MENTUM HUJUS ECCLESIAE POSUIT. 1613.

Mary de Medicis the Mother, laid the Foun∣dation of this Church, 1613.

Chancellor Seguier declared himself their Pro∣tector, and became a great Benefactor; among other things he gave them wherewithal to build their great Altar; which is of a very handsome design, adorned with Corinthian Pillars of black Marble, and several Figures representing the principal Saints of this Order. All the Church is of the Tuscan order of building; yet, in truth, it is none of the most regular. In the middle there is a Dome, painted in the top by a Chanon of the Church of Leige, named Bertolet, who was no bad Painter, as one may well judge by this Work; which represents the As∣sumption of Elias, in a Chariot of Fire, and his Mantle falling on his Disciple Elisha, who receives it with open Arms.

There are in this Church two Chapels that deserve a particular consideration. The first of which is on the left hand, under the Dome, and Dedicated to the Holy Virgin; in which there is a Statue of white Marble, the finest that can be seen: It was made at Rome, by a Disciple of the Famous Cavalier Bernin, and cost a great expence to bring it from thence. It is

not easie ever to meet with a better figure than this. It represents the Holy Virgin sitting and holding her Infant on her Knee, who smiles and extends his little Arms to embrace her. All that one can wish to see in a compleat and finisht Statue, is to be found in this; and all Men ought to consider it as the best Piece in the Kingdom. The Niche in which it stands over the Altar is of the Design of Cavalier Bernin, it is adorn'd with four Corinthian Pillars of a vein'd Marble. The other Chapel is over against this, and dedicated to St. Teresa, as appears by the Picture in the middle. This Chapel is adorn'd with Marble Pillars, of a composite Order, but very singular, with Festons on the Freese; but this is the Architects own fancy, and there are but few examples of such Work. How∣ever the whole is very handsom and pleasing to the view. The Balustrades of these two Al∣tars, and that also of the great Altar which stands between 'em, are of a choice sort of Marble. The rest of the Church hath nothing at all extraordinary, unless it be the white painting, with which it is all over painted, which has a Gloss, and shines like Marble. It is said that these Fathers have a Secret to make it thus, and that they are not willing to discover the mystery to any.

In the inner part of the House there is no∣thing remarkable but the Library, which tho' it be but little, and the number of Books very small, yet it ought to be seen if it were only for the delicate prospect which it hath over the Neigh∣bouring Fields. These Fathers have the hand∣somest Gardens and the best kept in all Paris, which is not to their small advantage, for in re∣gard

they eat no Flesh, they have from their own Gardens sufficient of Roots and Pulse, and the like, whereon to subsist without buying.

In a Street at the end of this, which is call'd the Ruë du Regard, is a small House lately built, whose prospects are all upon the Neighbour∣ing Gardens, and is extream neat and hand∣som.

The Fortress where the Academists of M. Ber∣nardy exercise is not ••ar off. It stands near the Walls of the Palais d'Orleans, inclosed in a little piece of Ground, and serves for this use only. Here they make their attaques as regular, as if at the taking of a place of the greatest impor∣tance.

In the Ruë Cassette near the Carmes of which I have been speaking, is, The Monastery of the Nuns of the Holy Sacrament, who owe their Foundation to the late Dutchess of Orleans, Second Wife of Monsieur Gaston of France, Duke of Orleans, ••on of Henry the IV. and Brother of Lewis the XIII. This Illustrious Princess who was of a most exemplary Piety; was their great Benefactress, and gave them wherewithal to build their Church▪ and their great Altar▪ which last is of a very handsom Wainscot work, Marble painted and the Ornaments gilt, all which shows very handsomly, but this is all that is here to be seen▪ ••very Thursday they sing here a Salutation of the Holy ••acrament, at which a great number of Devout Persons assist, and offer up their P••ayers.

In the Street call'd Ruë du Pot de fer, which al∣so butts against the Ruë Vaugirard, is