Eglise Notre Dame de La Croix

We are now standing in front of Église Notre‑Dame‑de‑la‑Croix in the heart of Ménilmontant. This impressive church, built between 1863 and 1880, blends neo‑Romanesque and neo‑Gothic styles and is one of the largest churches in Paris. It is about 97 metres long, 38 metres wide, and its bell tower rises 78 metres high.

The church sits on a steep slope, preceded by a monumental staircase leading to the striking façade. Inside is a large Cavaillé‑Coll organ from the 1870s, specially designed to leave space for the magnificent rose window.

During the Paris Commune in May 1871, this church served as a meeting place for the communards. On 6 May, the decision to execute Archbishop Darboy was taken here amid applause. Today the church is a protected monument and stands as a cultural and historical focal point in Ménilmontant.