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.

St. Germain l'Auxerrois.

Something may be said here of St. Germain l'Auxerrois, the Parish Church of the Louvre. It is one of the ancientest of Paris, for Childe∣bert was the Founder as well of this as that of St. Germain des Prez, both which he dedicated to St. Vincent, he having deposited in these Churches some Reliques of that Saint Which he brought out of Spain. They have here on great Feasts, very magnificent Ornaments given by the Queen Mother; which are of Cloath of Gold and Silver very rich: These the Republick of ••e∣noa presented to that illustrious Queen and were

by her immediately bestowed upon this Church. The other things most remarkable in this Church are, the Tribune (or Gallery) of Germain Pi∣lon's designing, who was esteemed in his Age the ablest Workman in all France for Sculpture and Architecture, and the Chappel of Monsieur the Marquess de Rosteing, in which are some Busts in Marble of several illustrious Persons of that Fa∣mily. In the Room where the Churchwardens Assemble hangs a very good copy of a Last Supper, by Leonard de Vincy, whch Picture was former∣ly placed in the Church and its Beauty never ob∣served, till it was known that the Cavalier Ber∣nin had admired it. Upon which it was quick∣ly removed and placed in this Room, for the more choice keeping. The most considerable Persons who have been interred in this Church are Monsieur Seguin, who was Dean here, very ju∣dicious in the value of Medals: Joachim du Bel∣lay, one of the famousest Poets of his Age: Monsieur Varin, one of the ablest Gravers of Medals that France ever had; Monsieur Balin, a famous Goldsmith, of whom we have already spoken, this was he who invented those Curious Ornaments where the History of the Old and New Testament are represented in Cartouches of admirable Workmanship. Here is also the Tomb of Madamoiselle Silvestre represented in Painting on a Black Marble fixed to a Pillar behind the Quire, after Monsieur le Bruns way. In the lesser Chappels are to be seen several well esteem∣ed Pictures of le Sueur's Work.

There is a Landskip in Perspective done by Francisque, worth seeing, in one of the Houses in the Cloister.

In that great space of Ground which is between

the old Louvre and the Palace of the Tuilleries, are many fair Houses, among others

The Hôtel de Crequi, in which lives the Illu∣strious Maréchal of that name. Its outside makes no great shew, but within it is very well funished: above all the Stair-case extremely well design'd. In the Street of St. Thomas du Louvre is

The Hôtel de Longueville formerly called the Hôtel de Epernon, which wants a whole wing of Building. So much as is finished is of a very beau∣tiful design, chiefly the Portal, of the Ionick Or∣der, as is all the rest of the House, which wants a Square or place before it, to give the more advan∣tagious view. The Apartments are convenient, and the Garden pleasant tho it be inclosed on eve∣ry side. You must not forget to see a Ceiling in one of the Chambers, painted by M. Mignard, high∣ly esteemed.

In the Turn-again-Lane near this place stands the House of M. de Guitry, which is very handsom.

In the same Street of St. Thomas is also the Hôtel de Montausier, formerly called the Hôtel de Ramboüillet, heretofore the most delightsom Seat of the Muses, and which still serves at this day as a Retreat and Sanctuary to all ingenious Persons by the favourable protection they find from the Duke of Montausier formerly Governor to Monsiegneur the Dauphin.

Having thus satisfied ones curiosity on the Sub∣ject of the Louvre, in which many particulars may be observed which are not here mentioned to avoid prolixity, let us begin our next Journey at the nearest place which is