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 Colledge of Lewis the Great.

It was formerly called the Colledge of Clermont, being built for the Scholars of that Town, in imita∣tion of some other Colledges of the University. In the last Age, Messire Guillaume Duprat, Bishop of Clermont, being at the Council of Trent, on be∣half of this Kingdom of France, contracted there a particular Friendship with certain Fathers Je∣suits, whom he met with at that Assembly; he con∣ceived so high an esteem of their Learning, and Pi∣ety, that at his return he brought them with him into France, to instruct our Youth in humane Learning; but more especially in the Purity of the Romish Religion, which at that time was disturb'd with the Heresie of Luther and Calvin. This Pre∣late brought in his Company to Paris, Father Pa∣quier Broüet, with several others of that Society, whom so long as he lived, he entertained in his own House; but at his Death left them by his Testament Three thousand Livres of Rent, and a very considerable Summ of Mo∣ney; with which they purchased a void piece of Ground, then called the Court de Langres in the Ruë St. Jacques, being the place where they now are. This they named the Colledge

of Clermont their great Benefactor, having been Bishop of that City. Henry III. was pleas'd to lay the first Stone, on which this Inscription was then graved

RELIGIONIS AMPLIFICANDAE STUDIO, HENRICUS III. CHRISTI∣ANISS. REX FRANCIAE ATQUE POLONIAE, IN AUGUSTISS. JE∣SU NOMEN PIETATIS SUAE MO∣NUMENTUM HUNC PRIMUM LA∣PIDEM, IN EJUS TEMPLI FUNDA∣MENTUM CONJECIT.

ANNO DOMINI 1582. DIE 20. A∣PRILIS

With a desire of enlarging Religion, Henry III the most Christian King of France and Poland, to the honour of the most Glorious JESƲS, as a Monu∣ment of his Piety, laid this first Stone in the Founda∣tion of his Temple.

In the Year̄ of our Lord 1582. the 20. Day of April

There is nothing of singular Remark in the Building belonging to this Colledge; yet there are here many Observable things, which you can hardly meet with elsewhere. As first, the great quantity of Chambers and Lodgings, fill'd to the least Corner, contriv'd with very great In∣dustry.

The great number of Pensionaries, most of which are of considerable Quality; besides the multitude of Scholars that come from abroad, which sometimes amount to Two or Three thou∣sand. These study together in the most regular Order and Discipline of the World. The Schools are Six in number, besides those set apart for the Study of Philosophy, Divinity and the Ma∣thematicks: Which last are not used, but only by Young Jesuits, who still pursue their Course of Studies, or at least by some Pensionaries, who de∣sign not to take any Degrees in the University; for those who propose to themselves to be Masters of Arts, or Doctors, are obliged to study Philo∣sophy in some of the Colledges of the University. One thing extream laudable among these Fathers is, that all their Scholars are obliged to go to Confession every Month; so that at the same time the Parents are freed from the Care, both of their Childrens Consciences, as well as Studies. The Chappel of this Colledge is small and ob∣scure: It stands on the Right Hand as you en∣ter: There is nothing to be seen there but upon Feast days, and at such time the Altar is one of the richest and best furnisht. They have there an Antipendium all of Silver, and another of a rich Embroidery of Gold, very high raised upon a Ground of Silver. The Apartments in the hinder part of the House, are more convenient than those in the fore part; the Armes of Monsieur Fouquet in their Front, speak him to be the Builder of that part; as also of the main Body of the Edifice, which is at the further part of the Garden, near the little Colledge de Marmoutier, which has been annext to this to augment it. In this apartment they have placed their Library, which, beyond

all contradiction, is one of the fairest and most nu∣merous of all Paris, as well for the Quality, as Quantity of Books, there to be seen. There is also a good number of antient Manuscripts, and of Heretical Books, chiefly of the Socinians, which fill almost a little Room themselves. Besides this a very excellent Collection of the Spanish History, as well general as particular Histories of the several Provinces of that Kingdom, and of the Famous persons who have therein inhabit∣ed; these Authors are either in Spanish or Latin. There is also a great quantity of Mathematicians and Humanists, which take up a little Gallery, which they have contrived into several Presses: for altho this Library does consist of two long Wings of building; yet it is all too little, and they are forced to employ this Gallery, for the receit of the lesser Volumes. At one end of this Gallery hangs a piece of Bassan, representing the Combat of the Centaures and the Lapithites, this Monsieur Fouquet gave, having first built the Library where it hangs, and endowed it with a Thousand Livres of Rent, for its Maintenance and Augmentation. They preserve here an excel∣lent Sett of Antient Medals, but being not dispo∣sed into order, they seldom are willing to shew them. In this Colledge are many able Persons, among whom may be reckoned a considerable number of Authors; such as are now living, are Father Bouhours, Author of The Entretiens d Ariste & d'Eugene, in which you find so much Sweet∣ness and such Purity of Language, that it seems a Man that would speak as an accomplisht Person, must be sure to imitate his stile; his other Works are The Doubts and Remarks on the French Tongue; The History of Peter d'Aubusson, Grand Master

of Rhodes; The Life of Saint Ignatius, and the Life of St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of the In∣dies; and certain Books of Devotion. Fa∣ther Rapin, he hath writ The Spirit of Chri∣stianity▪ The Importance of Salvation; The Belief of the last Ages; and Curious Instructions relating to History; with some Latin Poems. Father de la R••e, he hath Commented upon certain Antient Authors for the use of Monseigneur the Dauphin; and the Tragedies which use to be represented on the Theater at this Colledge, are very often Writ by him: one may say that he is alike able in many things, for the French Verses which have come from his Pen, have been much esteem'd. Father d'Aroüy, before he went into Britany, where he now is, was much admired for the Ma∣thematical Instruments which he invented; he invented one not long since, which shew'd us the Motions of the Stars in such a method, as is wor∣thy the Curiosity of the most Skilful in that Sci∣ence. They sometimes make Publick Actions in this Colledge, which draw a prodigious number of People. At the Carnaval they represent some little Latin Tragedy. After Easter they expose Enigmatical Questions to be explained, for which they have certain Prizes. They have also cer∣tain Theses to be maintained, to which Persons of Quality resort; but their greatest Bravery of all is, the Grand Tragedy which they represent yearly in the Month of August, on a Theater rais∣ed on purpose, which takes up all the bottom of the Court. The Actors are always Pensionaries, and Sons of Persons of Quality. The finest ob∣jects of this Tragedy are the Balets of the Sieur de Beauchamp's Composition, which are danced between the Acts. When all is done they make a

distribution of Prizes to those that merit best, without any regard to the Quality of the Person; which occasions great Emulation among the Youth, and makes them use the utmost of their endea∣vours to gain a Prize, which the King gives, in the View of such an Assembly.

As you go from hence, a little higher in the Street, you have

The Church of St. Estienne des Grecs, the first and oldest of Paris. St. Denis Bishop of this Town, as some think, was the Founder. It is not any way considerable, but for its Antiquity. Report says, That St. Francis of Sales, Bishop and Prince of Geneva, made his Vows of Chastity and Poverty in this Church, before the Chappel of our Lady de bonne delivrance here, in which there is a very great Devotion. Over against this is

The Convent of Jacobius, formerly called Fri∣ers Preachers of the Order of St. Dominick, whose first Foundation is alledged to be in the life time of that Saint, who lived in the Year 1217. un∣der the Pontificate of Honorius the Third, and in the Reign of Philip Augustus. Historians say, that St. Dominick took great pains, about the Extirpa∣tion of the Heresie of the Albigenses, who caus∣ed great disorders in Languedoc: and at the same time he sent two of his Religious to Paris, who were Lodged in a place called The Citizens Par∣lour, in the same place where now this Convent stands. They were called Jacobins, from the Ruë Saint Jacques. Their Church, as it now is, was built by order of St. Lewis, if we may believe Belleforest, a faithful Historian. Here are many Tombs of great Lords, who for the most part were Princes of the Blood Royal of France. But in regard I did not design to search into Antiqui∣ties,

I shall not here express their Names, which may be found in Father du Breüil. I will only ob∣serve, that among these famous Monuments is that of Humbert, the last Sovereign Prince of Dauphiné, whose Title was Dauphin of Vionnois; the Tomb stands before the great Altar. History says, That seeing himself Childless, he sold this Province to Philip Augustus for a small Summ of Money, and him∣self embraced a Religious Life at Lyons, and en∣ter'd into the Order of St. Dominick; where he liv'd in very great Esteem with all good Men, and was chosen to be Prior of this Convent, and afterwards Patriarch of Alexandria. This is his Epitaph:

Hic jacet R. Pater & Dominus amplissimus HUM∣BERTUS, primo Viennae Delphinus, deinde relicto Principatu, Frater nostri Ordinis, Prior in hoc Con∣venru Parisiensi, ac demum Patriarcha Alexandrinus, & perpetuns Ecclesiae Rhemensis Administrator, & praecipuus bujus Conventus Benefactor. Obiit anno Domini 1345. Maii 22.

Here lies the Reverend Father, and Most Ho∣nourable Lord HUMBERT, First Dauphin of Vienna, after that leaving his Principality, he became Brother of our Order, and Prior in this Convent at Paris, and at last Patriarch of Alex∣andria, perpetual Administrator of the Church of Rhemes, and chief Benefactor to this Convent. He Dyed in the Year of our Lord 1345. May 22.

This Church hath nothing but what is ordina∣ry, yet is the great Altar very handsomly con∣trived;

it is adorn'd with black Marble, and the Armes of the Cardinal of St. Cecily, Brother of Cardinal Mazarin, which you see about it, speak it to be built at his Costs; and this he did in re∣gard he was of this Order. Over the Door go∣ing into the Sacristy, is a Picture of Valentine's, representing the Nativity of the Holy Virgin; which Piece Cardinal Mazarin gave, to be placed over the great Altar; but when he perceived it to be too little, he left it to the Church, and it hath been placed here ever since. It is one of the most Beautiful pieces in all France, and the Cu∣rious esteem it highly. Felibien, in his Book which he Composed of the Lives and Works of the most Famous Painters, tells us, it is one of the best Pi∣ctures that ever came out of Italy into France. On one side of the great Altar, stands the Chap∣pel of our Lady of the Rosary. The Wainscot Work of which is very handsom. Here is a very great Devotion, by reason of the Indulgences, which are here to be gain'd every first Sunday of the Month. In the Cloister are several Paintings, but they are of no great Note; so also is their Li∣brary, which is not very numerous, yet it hath been made use of by very Famous Doctors. They preserve here one thing of great Curiosity, and that is the Pulpit of Great St. Thomas of Aquiu, the Angel of the Schools. It is made of Wood, and inclosed in another of the same material, that it may not be injured by time. A General of this Order was at the charge of making that in which it is inclosed; and not along ago these Fathers have caused a small Room to be made, at the end of the Library, where this Pulpit is con∣veniently exposed to sight. 'Tis well known that St. Thomas of Aquin formerly profest Divinity in

this Convent, and in the great School, which we see at this day, he made his Lectures. It hath been Rebuilt at the beginning of this present Age, through the Alms which these Fathers collected in a Jubilee. Several Preachers of this House have acquired great Reputation in the World. Among others Father Chaussemer, who is esteemed one of the most Profound and Eloquent that we have at present; he Preached this Lent at Nostre-Dame, after he had perform'd the like at the Louvre. The deceased Monsieur Coëffeteau, who hath com∣posed a very Curious Roman History, past here the greatest part of his Life; with many others, whose names would be too long to insert here.

Before you leave the Rüe Saint Jacques, you ought to know, that here inhabit many Book∣sellers, who sell almost all of them, the Works of the Messieurs du Port-Royal, all the Works of Mon∣sieur Arnault, generally esteemed by all Learned Men: Here you will find the several pieces of the French Academicians; many Foreign Books; the several pieces that concern the Gallicane Church; all Monsieur Maimbourg's Writings; here also are sold Father Bouhour's Books; those of Father Ra∣pin; of the Bishop of Meaux; of the Abbot Flé∣chier, Almoner to Madam the Dauphiness, who Translated the Life of Cardinal Commendon, and composed for Monseigneur the Dauphin, the History of Theodosius the Great, and four Funeral Orations. Many other Books proper for the perusal of curious Persons, are here also to be met with. In this Street also are many Gravers and Sellers of Prints, who have in their Shops great store of Maps, and Printed Pictures. Of which I shall say no more in this place. At the end of this Volume I may (perhaps) set down

a Catalogue of such Books as are best Writ in our Language, for the use of Strangers, who of∣tentimes for want of better information, buy ve∣ry scurvy Books, instead of such as may be of use and advantage to them in their study of the French Tongue.

Without the Porte St. Jacques, in the Faux∣bourg of that name, you may observe many fine things, and in a greater number than in any other Faux-bourg about the Town.

On the left Hand, as you enter, is the Con∣vent of the Nuns of the Visitation, which makes no great shew. The Church it self is no bigger than an ordinary Hall. Yet is their Altar one of the richest that can be seen on the Feast Days, these Nuns sparing no Costs to adorn it with Candle∣sticks, Lamps, Vessels, Figures, and a Thou∣sand such like things, which are all of Silver, and most of them very weighty. But the place being none of the best contrived, these rich things ap∣pear not so well as they might do elsewhere. Going still forward, you pass before

The Parish Church of St. James, from which all this Quarter takes its name. It hath been re∣pair'd in such manner as we now see it by the late Dutchess of Longueville Sister of Monsieur the Prince, who was one of the most pious and Charitable Princesses of this Age. The Portal is of the Dorick Order, very well perform'd; and had that Virtuous Princess lived, she had doubt∣less given wherewithal to finish the Work: But she dyed about four years ago in the Convent of Carmelite Nuns, to the regret of abundance of poor People, who subsisted by her Almes.

The Seminary of St. Magloire, is near the last mentioned place. This was formerly an Abby of

St. Bennet's Order, which was first Founded in the same place, where at present stands St. Bartholo∣mew's Church, near the Pallace. But those good Religious Men, being troubled with the noise and Clutter of that place, changed their habitation in the Year 1138. and came to dwell here, which was at that time a good way out of the Town, where there was already a Chapel built and de∣dicated to St. George. After that in the Year 1549. The Monks of St. Bennet did altogether quit this House, and transfer'd themselves to o∣ther Houses of the same Order, the Revenue of this being given to the Arch-Bishop of Paris. And in the Room of the Monks they placed here certain Penitent Nuns, but they continued not long. In fine, the Priests of the Oratory were introduced here in the beginning of this present Age, whose Institution is to instruct the Young Ecclesiasticks in the Functions of their Mini∣stry.

Further in this Street are the Ʋrsuline Nuns; whose Church is but small, yet is their Altar of a very handsom design, and adorn'd with Pillars of black Marble. These Nuns teach freely young Girles not only to Read and Write, but also seve∣ral sorts of Works proper for them, which is of great advantage to the publick. They were first Founded here in the Year 16••7. by Made∣moisel de Saint Beuve, a Lady of extraordinary Piety, and Queen Anne of Austria laid the first Stone of their Church, in the Year 1620. June 22.

The Feüillantines are on the same side of the way, they are Nuns of St. Bernard's Order, re∣form'd by the blessed John de la Barriere, and were first established in Paris 1622. through the Sol∣licitation

of Queen Anne of Austria. Their Church hath been some Years ago rebuilt anew, with considerable Expence. It is very lightsom, and the Portal is not ill contriv'd: It was design∣ed by the Sieur Merot. One of their Bene∣factresses hath contributed largely to the Charges. Over the great Altar is a very good Copy from Raphael, of the Holy Family, the ori∣ginal of which is in the King's Cabinet. The Grate of their Quire is adorn'd with Copper gilt.

Nor far from thence are the English Bene∣dictines, who have also built a new Church, which is really something of the least, but in re∣compence of that, it is very well adorn'd. It is set off with Pilasters, and the Altar is accom∣pany'd with Pillars and Figures, which shew ve∣ry handsomly; the Wainscot Work of the Stalls for the Monks, is very pretty, and the little Cha∣pel of the Holy Virgin, which stands over against the Door, is very neat. The Religious who inha∣bit this House are originally English, and are come for refuge into France, on the account of Reli∣gion. The late Queen-Mother gave them great Alms, as did also many other persons of Piety, and some English. There is a Person of Quality inter'd with them, who hath been a Benefactor, as may be seen by his Epitaph. On the other side of the way are