Well, not quite, but today I went to visit the two saints that surround the Bon Marché, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Catherine Labouré. The remains of both are in their respective chapels. After leaving the area, I realized that I have not been inside the Bon Marché itself for about 15 years. Pray for my soul.

http://tinyurl.com/5rljpfn

When Kerouac gets religion, you have to stop and take a look!.

Such a rebel, taking that picture!! (Hmm, Mississippi and Rebels...is there a connection?)

I had no idea that you are from Mississippi and I am headed to Gulfport tomorrow (and then on to Hattiesburg and Jackson...the whole tour). And the closest Catholic church to me is St Vincent de Paul and looks nothing like that!!

I will have to stop in to pay a visit while I am there in November. I will also top in at Bon Marche (more my religion, than the church type) I am, as a Southerner, always amazed by the churches of Europe...nothing like that around here! Always interesting, Kerouac!

Kerouac, what beautiful pics! My dear Irish mother had great devotion to St. Vincent de Paul and to the “Miraculous Medal” as shown in your piece. The chapel is lovely. Glad you were able to get a shot of the altar from the choir. It reminds me of a church near where I grew up (north of Boston) which we referred to as “the French Church” aka St. Jean the Baptiste.


The altar resembled that of St. Catherine of Laboure’s with many colorful statues set against walls resembling light blue celestial skies. My favorite statue was that of St. Michael with sword in hand, trampling a serpent. Unfortunately, the church, school, and parish ceased to exist decades ago. Housing for the elderly now stands in its place.


Kerouac, maybe I missed it, but exactly where are these chapels? I expect to be in Paris for a 5-6 days in late spring. Who knows, I just might amble by. And again, thanks for sharing your beautiful city with Fodorites again….

We went to St.Catherine Laboure on our visit last March. I bought a medal there and being a good (mostly) Catholic girl I wear it everyday Kerouac.

latedaytraveler, St. Vincent de Paul is almost directly across from the Vaneau metro exit on rue de Sèvres. The Miraculous Medal chapel is on rue du Bac, adjacent to La Grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché. Just look for the beggars outside.

If anyone does visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, there is a lot of information available about the apparition. It's said that the Blessed Mother gave Catherine Laboure the design for the medal, and then told her to distribute them.

We always buy a bag full of medals (very inexpensive) and then give them out at home. It's sort of our Paris tradition.

As I wrote, they used to be "self serve." I guess some people went overboard.

Love that guy
runs a chain of thrift stores worldwide
that help the poor very cool...

www.st-vincent-depaul.com/home.html

Merci, Kerouac, saving the addresses....

Beautiful pictures! I've been in the Chapelle de la Médaille Miraculeuse. After seeing your pictures, I regret I never went into the church of St Vincent de Paul, especially as I lived one block over for more than four years.

k- from one parochial school victim to another...

The pics were great. Enjoyed the story, and always happy to learn something new and interesting (Braille).

Our nuns were pretty darned scary...but thank God they didn't have the razor habits!

Interesting as usual, Kerouac. The picture of St. Vincent in his coffin is a little scary for us Chinese, who are a little superstitious and squeamish about things having to do with death -- saint or not. And the Sister of Charity had nothing over the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, who were very strict themselves, even over here in Hawaii.

Interesting. Spent a week in that neighborhood in 2004 (had an aparatment at the corner of Vanue and Babylone) and never even noticed either place (except for the exterior of St. Vincent de Paul). Nice work.

I missed this thread the first time around but just discovered it when searching for another kerouac thread. Next time I go to Paris I will be following your footsteps. Thanks for another amazing walk through Paris!

I'm glad you dug it up, because a lot of my reports expire over time, but the information in this one is just as valid as it was when I wrote it.

Thank you, Kerouac, for your report, and thanks to adrienne for bringing it up again as I somehow missed it the first time around.

You never cease to amaze! Photo essays on everything under the sun. I survived the Sisters of Mercy as a child and can appreciate your apprehension.

Thanks!

Like others, I have walked past these many many times. I always noticed the crowds but never went in. We will be back in April, and we will take a look.

I missed this, too, the first time around.

The cynic in me says they don't want you taking pictures so you have to buy their postcards! Seriously, the first time I went (in the 80s) it seemed quiet, peaceful and reflective. I'm sure they were selling things, but it just didn't seem as obvious as when I went back 15 or so years later. It was way more crowded as well - which is good for them, of course.

And you're right, I never noticed the St. Vincent de Paul chapel, and I know I've walked by it many times. It's lovely!

Thanks from a fellow, non-religious "scary nun" survivor.

Looks like most of my fame will be posthumous.