Saint-Germain Church (Église Saint-Germain)
About Saint-Germain Church (Église Saint-Germain)
This 18th-century baroque church was built in 1786 under the initiative of Abbé François Marest, replacing an earlier church destroyed by storm and fire. The building features a Latin cross plan with coffered ceilings depicting local history, and houses notable artworks including a 17th-century Virgin Mary statue and a 16th-century Saint Peter statue. During D-Day on June 6, 1944, Canadian soldiers of the Queen's Own Rifles used the church steeple as a landmark for their landing at Juno Beach. The building sustained one shell hole in the steeple during the fighting, and the stained glass windows were reconstructed after the war. An explanatory booklet about the church's history is available at the entrance. The church is open year-round with free admission.
Interesting Facts
The church has a rare wrought iron altar rail (grille) separating the choir from the nave, a feature that has become very uncommon in French churches as most were removed during renovations over the centuries.
The church contains three bells tuned to E♭, F, and G - the musical notes of the Pater Noster (Our Father prayer). All three bells ring together only during major religious feasts.
A large painting titled 'Saint-Sixte et Saint-Laurent' was gifted to the church by Napoleon III in 1869, during the height of the Second French Empire.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
24 Rue Amiral Robert, 14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer, France
