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 Carmelite Nuns.

THis was sometimes call'd Nostre-Dame des Champs. The Church belonging to these Nuns is one of the oldest in Paris; most Anti∣quaries believe it to be one of those which St. Denis Founded. Some modern Authors write that it was formerly a Temple of the Goddess Ceres, or else of Mars; but for this opinion they have no very good Foundation: For we find nothing in the antient Historians to warrant such a Con∣jecture. It is much more certain, that it apper∣tain'd a long time to the Order of St. Bennet, and that it was a Priory depending on the great Abby of Marmoutier, near the City of Tours. Whose antient Title to this place is still in being; and the Bishop of Orleans, who is Abbot there, receives from hence Four or Five thousand Li∣vres per annum. In the Year 1604. were placed here certain Carmelite Nuns of St. Teresa's re∣form, whom the Cardinal de Berulla fetch'd him∣self out of Spain, at such time when this Reform began to be so famous in Christendom, for its great austerity. This House was the first in all the Kingdom, that took the Rule of St. Teresa, and from hence it is that all the other Convents of Paris, and in the other parts of France, took their original. At present this Nunnery is very numerous, and there are in it many persons of the greatest Quality, who quitting the World, come to end their days here.

Their Church is one of the fairest, and most magnificent that can be seen, the main Body of

the Building is, in truth, very antient, but the modern Ornaments within it make sufficient amends for that. As you go in you may observe, that it is all painted in imitation of black Mar∣ble vein'd with White; and that the Balustrades or Partitions of the Chapels are of a Wainscot, extraordinary finely gilt: But the most curious things of all are the great Pictures placed under every Window, in Frames richly Carved and gilt. There are six of these Pictures on each side, each representing some principal Pas∣sage of the New Testament. They are the Work of the famousest Painters of this Age. The First, on the left hand as you enter, repre∣senting the Miracle of the Five Loaves, was done by Stella. The Second represents the Feast at the House of Simon the Leper, where the Mag∣dalen perfum'd our Lord's Feet, and this was done by Monsieur le Brun. The Third represent∣ing the triumphal entry of our Lord into Jeru∣salem, is the Work of de la Hire. The Fourth is the Story of the Samaritan Woman, and is also done by Stella; the Colours and the Dra∣pery of this Picture is excellent. The Fifth is Monsieur le Brun's; and the Sixth representing the Transfiguration, is de la Hire's. Those on the other side were all done by Champaign, and that able Master never made any better Pieces than these, as one may easily observe. The Al∣tar of this Church stands very high, and is all of Marble, as well the body of the Work as the Pil∣lars, which are of the Corinthian Order, their Ca∣pitals of Brass gilt. The Tabernacle is all of Sil∣ver, and represents the Ark of the Covenant; on the forepart of which there is a great Bas-relief very well Carved. On Feast Days

this Altar is adorn'd with Vases, Candlesticks, and divers things of that sort, which make a very handsom shew without Confusion. Over against the Grate of the Quire, where the Nuns sing, is a great Picture representing the Angelick Salu∣tation. It is the Work of Guido, and ought to be esteem'd as one of the best pieces that can be seen, even in Italy it self. The several Chapels correspond to the magnificence of the Church, especially that which is dedicated to the Magda∣len, in which there hangs an excellent Picture of that Saint, done by Monsieur le Brun, one of the best, perhaps, that ever he made. The Saint is represented weeping under a Rock, tearing her Hair and Ornaments, and trampling them under Foot, her Eyes are all drown'd in Tears, through which her Complection but faintly ap∣pears; briefly, one cannot imagine a piece of Painting more feelingly exprest and none can see it without more compassion for such a Penitent. Over against the Altar in this small Chapel is placed, in a kneeling posture, the Statue of Cardinal de Berulle, Institutor of the Priests of the Oratory, to whom these Nuns are much obliged, as hath been already said. His Statue is of white Marble, and made by Sarazin, in the Year 1657. It is raised on a Pedestal of four sides, on which are several very good Bas-reliefs, wrought by an able Sculptor named To••••rt, the same who made the curious Pulpit at St. Eslienne, of which I have already spoken in this Second Part p.. On each side are two Pillars of black Marble, on the top of which are certain Hames of Brass gilt, so also are the Capitals, which are of the Ionick Or∣der, and very well wrought. The rest of the Cha∣pel is adorn'd with Pictures of Monsieur le Brun's

Painting, representing the Life of the Magda∣len. The following Inscription is on a Grave∣stone of white Marble, in the middle of this Chapel, under which lyeth buryed the Abbot le Camus, at whose sole Charges this Church was adorned and beautified.

IN SPEM
RESURRECTIONIS
HIC JACET
EDVARDUS LE CAMUS,
SACERDOS CHRISTI E•• DEI
OB•• IT ANNO SALUTIS
1674.
DIE 24 FEB
Sit in pace
Locus ejus.

In hope of the Resurrection.
Here lyes
Edward le Camus
Priest of Christ and of God.
He dyed in the Year of Salvation
1674.
24 of February.
Let his place be in peace.

The other Chapels want but little of the same Beauty. The further part of the Church ter∣minates in a great Tribune (or Gallery) the Windows of which are grated, into this Gallery

the Religious Women come to hear the Sermon, when the Preachers preach in the Nave of the Church. In the fore part of this Gallery are placed two Statues, one of St. Peter and the other of St. Paul, and on the top, the representation of St. Michael overcoming the Devil, which is of a very curious Invention: It was the Work of Stella, before mentioned. All the Roof is very well Painted after the manner of Cartouches: Between the Cordons you ought to take notice of a Crucifix, accompanied with the Holy Vir∣gin and St. John, which are wrought with so much Art, that the Figures seem to stand upon a real bottom. This is a pleasing fallacy to those that mind it. Finally, the last remarkable thing to be observed in this Church, is the Crucifix of Brass over the Balustrade, that divides the Quire from the Nave. The Curious esteem it highly; it was made by Sarazin, who had the reputation of one of the ablest Men of his time.

As you go from hence through the Court, you may observe a small House, built after the Italian manner, composed of two Pavillions, very handsom, with a Garden before the House, through which you pass as you go in. This House also was built at the Charges of the before mention'd Monsieur the Abbot le Camus

From this place you go to see the famous