Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais' medieval elm tree

King Louis XIII laid down the first stone in 1616. The church was raised on the location of one of the oldest chapel on the right bank of river Seine (4th century, rebuilt in the 13th century)! The building became a temple dedicated to Youth during the Revolution. The 1918 Good Friday bombing destroyed vaults in the nave, and more than 200 people were injured. Did you know we found an elm tree in front of the church? A "little elm" known as ourmetiau in the 14th century book Le Dit des rues de Paris. It disappeared in the 19th century... People used to gather under the leaves after the mass. They even dispensed justice!