things appear not so well as they might do elsewhere Going still forward you pass before The Parish Church of St. James from which all this Quarter takes its name It hath been repair'd in such manner as we now see it by the late Dutchess of Longueville Sister of Monsieur the Prince who was one of the most pious and Charitable Princesses of this Age. The Portal is of the Dorick Order very well perform'd and had that Virtuous Princess lived she had doubtless given wherewithal to finish the Work But she dyed about four years ago in the Convent of Carmelite Nuns to the regret of abundance of poor People who subsisted by her Almes The Seminary of St. Magloire is near the last mentioned place This was formerly an Abby of St. Bennet's Order which was first Founded in the same place where at present stands St. Bartholomew's Church near the Pallace But those good Religious Men being troubled with the noise and Clutter of that place changed their habitation in the Year 1138. and came to dwell here which was at that time a good way out of the Town where there was already a Chapel built and dedicated to St. George After that in the Year 1549. The Monks of St. Bennet did altogether quit this House and transfer'd themselves to other Houses of the same Order the Revenue of this being given to the Arch-Bishop of Paris And in the Room of the Monks they placed here certain Penitent Nuns but they continued not long In fine the Priests of the Oratory were introduced here in the beginning of this present Age whose Institution is to instruct the Young Ecclesiasticks in the Functions of their Ministry Further in this Street are the Vrsuline Nuns whose Church is but small yet is their Altar of a very handsom design and adorn'd with Pillars of black Marble These Nuns teach freely young Girles not only to Read and Write but also several sorts of Works proper for them which is of great advantage to the publick They were first Founded here in the Year 16â—7 by Mademoisel de Saint Beuve a Lady of extraordinary Piety and Queen Anne of Austria laid the first Stone of their Church in the Year 1620. June 22. The Feüillantines are on the same side of the way they are Nuns of St. Bernard's Order reform'd by the blessed John de la Barriere and were first established in Paris 1622. through the Sollicitation of Queen Anne of Austria Their Church hath been some Years ago rebuilt anew with considerable Expence It is very lightsom and the Portal is not ill contriv'd It was designed by the Sieur Merot One of their Benefactresses hath contributed largely to the Charges Over the great Altar is a very good Copy from Raphael of the Holy Family the original of which is in the King's Cabinet The Grate of their Quire is adorn'd with Copper gilt Nor far from thence are the English Benedictines who have also built a new Church which is really something of the least but in recompence of that it is very well adorn'd It is set off with Pilasters and the Altar is accompany'd with Pillars and Figures which shew very handsomly the Wainscot Work of the Stalls for the Monks is very pretty and the little Chapel of the Holy Virgin which stands over against the Door is very neat The Religious who inhabit this House are originally English and are come for refuge into France on the account of Religion The late Queen-Mother gave them great Alms as did also many other persons of Piety and some English There is a Person of Quality inter'd with them who hath been a Benefactor as may be seen by his Epitaph On the other side of the way are The Carmelite Nuns THis was sometimes call'd Nostre-Dame des Champs The Church belonging to these Nuns is one of the oldest in Paris most Antiquaries believe it to be one of those which St. Denis Founded Some modern Authors write that it was formerly a Temple of the Goddess Ceres or else of Mars but for this opinion they have no very good Foundation For we find nothing in the antient Historians to warrant such a Conjecture It is much more certain that it appertain'd a long time to the Order of St. Bennet and that it was a Priory depending on the great Abby of Marmoutier near the City of Tours Whose antient Title to this place is still in being and the Bishop of Orleans who is Abbot there receives from hence Four or Five thousand Livres per annum In the Year 1604. were placed here certain Carmelite Nuns of St. Teresa's reform whom the Cardinal de Berulla fetch'd himself out of Spain at such time when this Reform began to be so famous in Christendom for its great austerity This House was the first in all the Kingdom that took the Rule of St. Teresa and from hence it is that all the other Convents of Paris and in the other parts of France took their original At present this Nunnery is very numerous and there are in it many persons of the greatest Quality who quitting the World come to end their days here Their Church is one of the fairest and most magnificent that can be seen the main Body of the Building is in truth very antient but the modern Ornaments within it make sufficient amends for that As you go in you may observe that it is all painted in imitation of black Marble vein'd with White and that the Balustrades or Partitions of the Chapels are of a Wainscot extraordinary finely gilt But the most curious things of all are the great Pictures placed under every Window in Frames richly Carved and gilt There are six of these Pictures on each side each representing some principal Passage of the New Testament They are the Work of the famousest Painters of this Age. The First on the left hand as you enter representing the Miracle of the Five Loaves was done by Stella The Second represents the Feast at the House of Simon the Leper where the Magdalen perfum'd our Lord's Feet and this was done by Monsieur le Brun. The Third representing the triumphal entry of our Lord into Jerusalem is the Work of de la Hire The Fourth is the Story of the Samaritan Woman and is also done by Stella the Colours and the Drapery of this Picture is excellent The Fifth is Monsieur Brun's and the Sixth representing the Transfiguration is Hire's Those on the other side were all done by Champaign and that able Master never made any better Pieces than these as one may easily observe The Altar of this Church stands very high and is all of Marble as well the body of the Work as the Pillars which are of the Corinthian Order their Capitals of Brass gilt The Tabernacle is all of Silver and represents the Ark of the Covenant on the forepart of which there is a great Bas-relief very well Carved On Feast Days this Altar is adorn'd with Vases Candlesticks and divers things of
with a long Gallery in which many Tradesmen keep Shops as in the other Halls belonging to the Palais This way saves a great deal of going about which those who came from the Pont-Neuf were formerly forced to make The little Street that lyes behind is named The Rüe de Lamoignon because it was built in the time of the famous Premier President of that name who did himself contribute all his endeavors to procure the conveniency of this Passage for the good of the publick THE BRIDGES of PARIS IN regard the Bridges of Paris make a considerable part of the beauties of this great City we have thought it proper to make a particular Chapter of that subject and thereby to have the more liberty in explaining the singularities thereof The Bridge of Notre-Dame THis is the oldest and the first that was built with Stone It was finish'd as we now see it in the Year 1507. A Cordelier originally of Verona undertook the work at the Charges of the Hôtel de Ville Historians say his name was Joannes Jucundus and that he was in great reputation for his wonderful knowledge in all sorts of Learning They add also That the famous Julius Scaliger was his Scholar On one of the Arches you may read these Verses graved in the Stone JUCUNDUS GEMINOS POSUIT TIBI SEQUANA PONTES HUNC TU JURE POTES DICERE PONTIFICEM Jucundus he re a double Bridge did frame Him Pontifex Posterity may name This Bridge is loaden with Houses on both sides but they are not so high built as those on the other Bridges These Houses are beautified in the front with great Termes of Men and Women supporting on their Heads Baskets of Fruit between every two are certain Medals in which are represented all the Kings of France with every one a Verse sutable to him Time had much decay'd these things but they were well repaired against the late Queen made her Entry she passing over here as she went to the Louvre And of a long time it has been the Custom for the Queens to pass over this Bridge when they make their first Entrys into Paris at which time these Buildings are adorned Magnificently It is reported that when Isabel of Bavaria made hers it was cover'd from one end to the other with a kind of Pavillion of blue Taffaty powder'd with Flowers-de-Lis of Gold they say also that by means of a wonderful and suprising Machin an Angel flew down from one of the Towers of Nostre-Dame Church and placed a Crown of Gold upon her Head But though this Deed is recorded by an Historian of that time it seems to me that one may reasonably doubt the truth of it In the middle of this Bridge are erected two Machins which draw up the River Water for the use of those Quarters of the Town which are far distant The Gate belonging to this place is of the Ionick Order set off with certain Ornaments which make no bad effect The following Verses of Monsieur Santeüil's whom we have so often mention'd are ingraved upon black Marble in Letters of Gold SEQUANA CUM PRIMUM REGINAE ALLABITUR URBI TARDAT PRAECIPITES AMBITIOSUS AQUAS CAPTUS AMORE LOCI CURSUM OBLIVISCITUR ANCEPS QUO FLUAT ET DULCES NECTIT IN URBE MORAS HINC VARIOS IMPLENS FLUCTU SUBEUNTE CANALES FONS FIERI GAUDET QUI MODO FLUMEN ERAT ANNO M. DC LXXVI As Sein does to the Queen of Cities glide Th' Ambitious River stops his hasty Tide Enchanted with the place forgets his way And with the Beauteous Town contrives his stay Into her various Pipes he freely Flowes And from a River now a Fountain grows M. DC LXXVII One of these Machins raises 24. Pouces of Water and this is the Invention of Monsieur Mance the other which raises but half so much was invented by M. Joli On the same Arm of the River is The Pont au Change THis is the next Bridge to the Pont-Neuf It has this name because formerly there were a great many Money-Changers or Banckers who inhabited the Houses on this Bridge and made a kind of Exchange or Bource in this place It has been also formerly called the Pont aux Oiseaux or Bridge of Birds because no doubt of Birdsellers here dwelling But being in the Year 1629 burnt down by an extraordinary Fire it being then of Wood it was afterwards rebuilt of Freestone as we now see it with so much solidity that they have erected upon it two Rows of double Houses four Stories high all of them arched with Free-stone These Houses are inhabited by Traders who have their Warehouses on the side next the Water and their Shops in the forepart This Bridge has the most Passengers of all in Paris because of the Palais which stands at the end of it At one end over a house which fronts the Bridge you may see the King's Statue about the Age of 10. years old Crown'd with Laurel by the Figure of a Victory This Statue is raised on a little Pedestal and on each side of it are the Statues of Lewis the 13 th and Anne of Austria as big as the Life in Brass These Statues are very well design'd and very like The Key or Wharf called Qua de Gesvers leads from this Bridge to the Bridge of Nostre-Dame under cover all the way It is supported by Vaults whose Foundation is in the River of a sort of Work extraordinary hardy those who affect such things ought to go down and observe it At the other end of the Pont au Change at the Corner of the Quay de Morfondus is the Clock belonging to the Palais the Dyal of which is adorned with certain figures of one of the most famous Sculptors of the last age In regard it was done in the Reign of Henry III. the Arms of France and Poland stand over it with this Verse still legible which that King used as his Device or Motto QUI DEDIT ANTE DUAS TRIPLICEM DABIT ILLE CORONAM Who once gave two now gives a triple Crown This Clock guides the sittings in the Parliament and as often as there are any publick rejoycings they ring the great Bell for some hours together The Pont St. Michel is also near the Palais ' and opposite to the Pont au Change It takes its name from the little Church of St. Michel which stands within the Inclosure of the Palais or perhaps because it leads to the Gate of that name which once stood at the upper end of the Ruë de la Harpe and was not long since demolish'd as we have already said in the page of this Second Part. This Bridge is also built upon the Houses are of Brick and Freestone Formerly it was of Timber only like those of which we have already spoken but it being broke down by a high flood in the beginning of the Reign of Lewis XIII it was in a little time after re-built as we now see it The Petit Pont one of
A NEW DESCRIPTION of PARIS Paris LONDON Printed for Henry Bonwick at the. Red. Lyon in St. Paul's Churchyard A NEW DESCRIPTION OF PARIS CONTAINING A particular Account of all the Churches Palaces Monasteries Colledges Hospitals Libraries Cabinets of Rarities Academies of the Virtuosi Paintings Medals Statues and other Sculptures Monuments and Publick Inscriptions With all other Remarkable Matters in that Great and Famous CITY Translated out of French LONDON Printed for Henry Bonwicke at the Red Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1687. LICENSED June 3. 1686. R. L'Estrange TO THE READER SOme other Reasons may be given for the publishing this Book in English besides the Common Reason of all Booksellers which is the Improvement of their Trade there being hitherto nothing of this Subject in our Language and they are these such who have not been at Paris may here read of those beauties which have render'd that City of late years especially so famous Others who have had the satisfaction of seeing what is here mentioned will not find it unpleasant to refresh their memory with the descriptions given in this Book The lovers of those two most beautiful Sister-Arts Painting and Sculpture will be pleased to read of the Excellent Performances in both kinds at Paris It is really the Incouragement which is given to these Arts and their near Kinswoman Architecture that makes a City Polite and Beautiful advances an In-Land Trade and makes Artists so strive and vye with each other till by degrees they arrive at the Perfection of the Antients The Curious will be no less pleased to read of the choice Collections of Medals and all sorts of Rarities Nor will others want a serious Entertainment in this Book to meet here several Passages of the French History and to consider the Occonomy and Government not forgetting also the Piety of Paris To one purpose more this Translation may be useful and that is to such Young Gentlemen who go over as some do almost daily in regard this Book in their Pocket with them will be as their Informer so their Guide and lead them directly to such Sights as they most fansie The AUTHOR's Advertisment NO Man doubts that Paris is at present one of the greatest and fairest Cities of the World the magnificence of her Buildings her extent and the almost infinite number of her Inhabitants among whom there are those who for Estates may compare with some Sovereigns and in sine the perpetual Concourse of all Nations of Europe who come hither with an extream Affection to study the French Behaviour and observe the Rarities of the Place All these things concur to make it to be consider'd as a City that has no equal Yet it happens very often that all its true Beauties are not taken notice of by many persons and principally the Strangers who complain that they can never find them out without making it their particular study and giving themselves a vast trouble in the search no Description having been hitherto Composed to instruct them in their Enquiries It is for their assistance and to satisfie the Curiosity of Strangers that I have undertaken to describe by way of Abridgment the most noted Beauties of that famous City This Description will be the more useful unto them in regard they may inform themselves of the several Places here noted and may view several Things which they would have past by and neglected if they had not been admonish'd of them before hand To make this work the more easie and methodical I have taken the several Quarters and Streets in order as far as possible that so the several Remarks may be seen as they lye I undertake not to make an exact description that were almost impossible to be effected what endeavours soever we make I have therefore only collected those things which are most observable and that which deserves to be seen with somewhat more than ordinary remark Nor have I designed to search into Antiquities for Giles Corozet Father Breüil and some others have done that already better than any can hope to do it after them and to them I refer such as desire to know the Originals and Foundations of places Those Authors will acquaint you with the Epitaphs and Histories of Private Persons which would have swelled this Volume considerably if I should have transcribed them here Besides it seems unnecessary for a Strangers knowledge to consider these things which serve only as private Monuments and are of no use to the publick History for which they Travel They take more delight without doubt in the description of a Cabinet a Library or an Apartment built after the modern way than in reading the Epitaphs at Saint Innocents or to pick out the meaning of them Without question some will be surprized to see me undertake a Work so difficult as this in sight of so many learned Persons abounding in Paris But after all if I prove not successful herein yet however I shall esteem it sufficient glory if I may inspire into any able Author the design of a Work which may in some sort answer to the Reputation of this great City In the mean time as I may hereafter inform my self more particularly of some things which I have not hitherto been able to discover at the same time I shall be much obliged to those who have any particular Memorials if they will be so generous to communicate and thereof advertize the Bookseller who Prints this that so they may be consulted if they please ERRATA In the First Part. PAge 7. Line 20. read Clagny p. 50. l. 31. r. Seneterre p. 70. l. 22. r. cepit p. 100. l. 16. r. fluted p. 109. l. 2. r. of merit p. 110. l. 2. r. be beheld p. 120. l. 13. r. admired p. 121. l. 2. r. Mandé p. 126. l. 2. for Lady r. Royal Consort p. 131. l. 10. r. Mandé p. 132. l. 17. r. Garden side l. 31 for the r. three p. 136. l. 32. r. Marks p. 146. l. 18. r. Verdure p. 148. l. 33. r. Portal p. 158. l. 5. dele p. 166. l. 5. r. is In the Second Part. Pag. 4. l. 23. for there r. then p. 8. l. 7. r. St. Victor p. 54. l. 20. for more r. some p. 136. l. 10. r. of Clay p. 160. l. 1. r. Canons A New DESCRIPTION OF The most Remarkable things IN THE CITY OF PARIS BEfore I enter upon the matter it may not be amiss to say something of the Original of Paris If this great City be not one of the Ancientest in Europe yet at least she may boast that Caesar speaks advantagiously of her in the sixth Book of his Commentaries where he says that having subdued divers Nations amongst the Gauls he was forced to lay Siege to Paris which at that time was wholly enclosed between the two Arms of the Seine into which place all the Inhabitants of the Neighbouring Country were retired Here they defended themselves with so much resolution and made so stout a Resistance
to the Château or Castle of that name which stood in that place where now is the Village of St. Maur des Fossez beyond Charenton Since those times this great City is much augmented and continually extended into the Fields till not long since for several weighty Considerations there have been certain Bounds prescribed beyond which it is not lawful to raise any buildings It is to be observed that Paris being thus bounded its extent is the more considerable in regard there is not to be found in it any place that is not extreme full of People and as thick of Houses as can be contrived in some of which there are continually several distinct Families in one house which is rarely to be seen in other Towns where every one desires to dwell apart and where there are few houses to be found of seven Stories high as they are all about the Palais near the great Chatelet and round the place called la Halle in which Houses the least Rooms are full of Inhabitants and let out at dear Rates This is all that we shall say of Paris in General Let us now come to particulars The LOVVRE Historians say that this Palace was first founded by Philip Augustus in the year 1214. Who made the great Tower in which Ferrand Earl of Flanders was kept Prisoner after that King had won the famous Battel of Bouvines in which the Earl who had Revolted from King Philip was made a Captive This Tower was standing in the last Age and had served not only to keep the Kings Treasure but also had been built to receive therein the Homage and Oath of Fidelity of those who held Lands of the Crown or rather as one may presume it was the Seige Seigneurial or Head of a Tenure upon which several Fiefs did depend For it is well known that our Ancestors had a custom always to build in their Châteaux or Chief Seats a great Tower and to raise upon that another lesser which they called the Donâ—on this they esteemed the Mark of a Seigneurie and without doubt this Tower at the Louvre was of the same nature It was taken down when Francis the First began that building which at present is called the old Louvre But Death hindred that Prince from performing much of what he intended Henry the Second his Son carried on the building after the designs of his Father and for the performance he made use of the Abbot of Clugny and John Gougeon both Parisians and the ablest Architects of their Time since those few things which we see of theirs pass for the most regular and finest Architecture of the World They were preferred to the illustrious Sebastian Sorlio who was expresly sent for from Italy but had the displeasure to see his designs not followed In the Hall of the hundred Swisses we see a kind of Tribune of the Workmanship of this John Gougeon it is supported by four Cariatides of a Design so regular and so well contrived that M. Perrault of the Royal Academy of Sciences hath caused it to be engraved and inserted in the Translation of the Works of Vitruvius where he hath proposed it as a compleat Model The following Inscription Henry II. set over one of the Gates HENRICUS II. CHRISTIANISS VETUSTATE COLLAPSUM REFICI COEP A. PAT FRANCISCO I. R. CHRISTIANIS MORTUI SANCTISS PARENT MEMOR PIENTISS FILIUS ABSOLVIT AN. A SAL. CHRISTI MDXXXXVIII This being ruined by Age and begun to be repaired by Francis I. the most Christian King Henry II. The most Christian King as a pious Son who was mindful of the design of his dead Father caused to be finished in the year from the Redemption of the World MDXXXXVIII Lewis the 13th whose Designs were always Great and Magnificent caused to be built the Great Pavilion which is over the Entrance The Sieur Mercier had the charge of that work in which he followed the first design and form But being forced to raise his Work higher than the Body of the Building upon the Corinthian and Composite orders he added a Cariatide Order in imitation of that in the Hall of the 100 Swisses aforementioned upon which he placed a double Fronton The old Gate of the Louvre is under this Pavillion the Roof of which is supported by two Ranks of Ionick Pillars of one piece placed two and two and are extreme remarkable for their bigness The Court in the middle of this building is great and exactly square The King hath raised three Wings which are not yet finished The Work consists of three Ranks of Pillars Corinthian and Composite the top is in the manner of a Terrasse which appears of a Beauty most magnificently surprising The great Gate is on that side next to St. Germain l'Auxerrois placed in the middle of a long Façade or Front of Building adorn'd with Corinthian Pillars two and two of a most beautiful greatness which standing off from the rest of the Work make a great Portico on each side of the Gate on which stands the Fronton composed only of two Stones of one piece each of which is fifty foot in length a great Terrasse runs on the top of this Façade from which one may discover all Paris In the old Louvre many things are to be seen The Cabinet of Pictures The place where the Kings Pictures are kept is in an Apartment near the end of the great Gallery It is difficult to find more in number or more rare pieces in any part of Europe than are in this place Here are some of all the most famous Masters of Italy and Flanders and other parts all which the King hath caused to be graved of which there are two great Volumes extant but of late years they have removed a great part of these Paintings to Versailles to adorn that magnisick Palace Yet there still remain several of diverse Masters among others the last Supper of Paul Veronnese a Picture of an extraordinary greatness so are the Battels of Monsieur l' Brun from which they have made several Pieces of curious Tapestry The Paintings of Pousin are here preserved with care as are also those of several other French Masters of which he is the Chief without dispute They are continually working in Sculpture in two several places of the Louvre M. Girardon hath his Work-house under the Cabinet of Pictures where you may see some Statues which he hath finished for Versailles those that are in the Grotto there were made in this place here you may see the Model of Cardinal Richelieu's Tomb which is to be erected in the Church of the Sorbonne At the end of the Court that lies before the Gate under the Pavillion on that side next the Ruë Saint Honorè you ought to view the Statues which are to be placed on the Tomb of Monsieur de Turenne which the King hath caused to be erected for him at St. Denys You may also there observe several other curious pieces which are all of the design and
Saviour in the seventy seventh year of his age March 10. 1678. To his dear Friend Nicolas le Camus Chief Officer of the Exchequer erected this Monument There are also in this Library certain pieces of Opticks made by the famous Father de Niseron a Parisian one of the most knowing Men in this Science that hath perhaps ever appeared in this Age. He hath left us a Volume of that Art very much estemed it was he also who caused to be painted in the Dortoir of this House the Figures of St. John and the Magdelain which Figures extend the whole length of the two Galleries and which they cannot see in their true proportion but from a point marked for you to stand in This Learned Person had enriched the Publick with many other things had not death taken him from us in an Age wherein he did but begin to discover his wonderful wit and parts The Refectory of this Convent is very handsom and of late years has been painted round about with Landskips and Solitudes which entertain the thoughts of the Religious while they are at their meals with Ideas remote from the affairs of this World It is well known that these Fathers live in great austerity and that the design of their institution hath taken in almost all that is rigorous in the other Orders Before you leave the Marais du Temple you ought to observe that the greatest part of the Houses in this Quarter have been built within these fifty or sixty years and that the Ground on which they stand was formerly a marish and employed in great Gardens which furnished Paris with Roots and Kitchin Herbs At present it is a handsom Quarter whose habitations are very conveniently built and therein a great number of Persons of Quality inhabit The Rue St. Antoine After you have seen the Maraise du Temple you ought to pass next to the Ruë St. Antoine one of the longest and handsomest Streets of all the Town and which is ordinarily appointed for Shews and Entries for Embassadors It was through this Street that the Queen made her first Entry and through which that famous Carousel in the year 1661. made their glorious March The Popes Legate who came hither in the year 1664. for whom a most Magnifick Entry was appointed passed this way to the Church of Nôtre-Dame In the past Ages this Street was also used for the like matters Our Kings did here use to run at the Ring and make their Justs and Turnaments but since the fatal Accident that befel Henry II. these Sports have been left off To see this Street in Order we ought to begin at The Greve This is the only place in Paris where they make the publick shews of Joy and Triumph Here are made the Bonfires on the Eve of St. John Baptist and at other times when France hath gained any Victories over her Enemies The Hôtel de Ville takes up one side of this Place It was built in the Reign of Francis I. who laid the first Stone himself The Architecture is however a little Gotique that is to say it is not altogether according to the gust of the present age in which the old Roman and Greek proportions are studied with more care and exactness Artists endeavouring every day to re-establish this curious Science in the same perfection that it had under the Reign of Augustus The Statue of Henry IV. is placed over the Gate represented on Horseback in Demi-bosse upon a Ground of black Marble The Horse was copied from that of Marcus Aurelius at the Capitol The Court is but small and enclosed with Buildings of the same symmetry Under one of the Arches at the further end of the Court there is a Statue of the King in the Habit of Hercules treading under foot that Discord which would have disquieted the beginning of his happy Reign On the Pedestal which is of Marble as is also the Statue they have cut some Inscriptions but such as are not thought material to be repeated here in regard they contain nothing remarkable nor recount any passage of History that can be useful to the curious In the Rooms there are some Pictures representing the Prevosts des Marchands and the Eschevins of the past Age and of this also in their proper habits At the two ends of the great Hall over the two Chimneys there are placed the Portraits of the King in his Royal Robes and his Scepter in his hand In this Hall they Assemble to elect their Prevosts des Marchands and Eschevins The Windows that look upon the Greve at publick Shews and Rejoicings are filled with Persons of the greatest Quality who are sometimes treated here very magnificently at the Charges of the City To make the Entry into the Greve more convenient they have within five or six years last past opened a way from the Pont de Nôtre-Dame to this place all along the River which they have adorned with a very handsom Key of Free-stone They have also built on this Key several Houses of the same Symmetry inhabited by good Tradesmen This beautiful Enterprize was begun under the Prevost-ship of Monsieur Pelletier at present Controller-general of the Finances and all that was performed under his administration has been as well for the Publick good as for the Beauty of the City The People have as an eternal mark of their acknowledgment given this place the new name of le Quay Pelletier though through a modesty that hath had but few examples he himself would never suffer his name to appear in any of those Works which have been raised by his order As you enter on that side next the Bridge of Nôtre-dame you will see the following Inscription in black Marble over which is the Kings Picture in a Medaillon AUSPICIIS LUDOVICI MAGNI HANC RIPAM FOEDAM NUPER ET INVIAM NUNC PUBLICUM ITER ET ORNAMENTUM URBIS F. CC. PRAEF ET AEDIL. ANN. R. S. H. MDCLXXV By the Favour of Lewis the Great the Provost and Aediles have made this Bank which was before dirty and unpassable a fair Street and the Ornament of the City In the year from the Redemption of the World 1675. As you go from the Greve you pass by the Church of St. John formerly a Chappel depending on that of St. Gervais and which was built as some will have it in the Reign of Charles the Fair in the year 1326. That which deserves particular observation is the Vault that supports the Organs which is of a manner really very hardy and the little door next the Cloister which is of the Ionick Order The following Epitaph will not be unpleasant to the Curious to read for they will find it extraordinary it is near the Crucifix of this Church Cy repose Alain Veau celui auquel l'integrité fidelité au maniment des Finances sous le Roi Francois I. Henri II. Francois II. Charles IX a pour une heureuse recompense acquis sans envie ce beau titre
Frontiers of his Kingdom especially in Italy he left the Work to be done by his Son Henry the Second who neglected or at least had not a Conveniency of doing it The Professors all the while read their Lectures in the Colledge of Cambray and remain'd in this Condition till under the Reign of Henry the Great who in the Year 1609. on the 23. of November sent the Cardinal du Perron the Duke of Suilly first Minister the President de Thou and a Counsellor of Parliament named Monsieur Gillot to view the Situation of the place and if there was sufficient Room to raise the Building projected It should have been composed of a main Front and on each Hand two Wings with a Court in the midst of which should have been a Fountain The lower Rooms were designed for Schools and the first Story on one side for the Royal Library which was then at Fountainbleau and is at present kept in the Rué Vivien The Professors also should there have had their Lodgings which would have been of great advantage but these excellent Projects were never executed by reason of the Tragick Death of that great King of whom France was rob'd in a time when she least expected it Queen Mary of Medieis his Illustrious Wife to second the Zeal of the King her Husband resolved to finish what he had begun and to that purpose she her self with her Son Lewis XIII at that time but nine Years old went to the place The Young King laid the first Stone and the Work was carried on with fervency but in the end it was once again broke off and remains as we see it having never been thought of to be continued from that time to this There is but one side finisht and that stands in the same place where formerly stood the Colledge called de Treguier The Professors are paid by the King and are a kind of Body distinct from the University to which however they are subject They enjoy the same Priviledges with the Officers of the King's Household and the Rector of the University is not permitted to dispose their places nor to prohibit their Exercises which he may do to all other Professors They have always been persons of singular Note and extraordinary Merit The most Famous have been in the Greek Tongue Adrian Turnebe Native of Andeli in Normandy who dyed in the Year 1565 being but Fifty three Years of Age. Denis Lambin succeeded him and hath left behind him many excellent Works In the Hebrew Tongue Francis Vatable originally of Picardy he hath writ several Commentaries upon divers Authors much esteem'd Gilbert Genebrard Doctor in Divinity of the Order of St. Bennet and Prior of St. Denis de la Chartre near the Pont Nostre-Dame He was Elected Arch-Bishop of Aix in Provence and dyed in March 1597. There are extant several Works of his the Catalogue of which are at the end of the Book Entituled La Liturgie Sainte The formerly mentioned Calignon was another Professor here for this Tongue he hath composed a Grammar which is much esteemed Ralph Baines an English-man who writ three Books of Commentaries on Solomon according to the Hebrew Phrase which he Dedicated to Henry the Second In the Mathematicks there have been Oronce Finé Native of the Town of Briançon in Dauphiné and Paschal du Hamel who succeeded him In the Latin Eloquence Barthelemy Latomus and John Passerat The two most famous among those who have taught Philosophy here were Francis Vicomereat originally of Verona and Peter de la Ramée of Cuth in Vermandois who lived about the Year 1568. Finally those who have most excelled in Physick are Vidus Vidius Jacques Silius of Amiens and John Rioland These are those whose Names are of greatest Note on the account of the Learned Works which they have left behind them One can hardly find out any one Colledge that has produced more Learned Men than this although it be of no great Antiquity Over against this last mentioned Colledge is The Commandery of St. John de Latran which depends on the Order of Malta It is a great piece of Ground full of Houses ill built in which lodge all sorts of Workmen not Masters who may here manage their several Trades without being disturb'd by the Jurates of the City That which is here worth seeing is the Tomb of Monsieur de Souvré this is he who dyed Grand Prior of France and who built some years before his Death that fine House at the Temple While he was only Commander of St. John de Latran he caused this Tomb to be raised in the Church It is all of Marble his Effigies lying upon a great Urne of the same accompanied with two Terms rising out of their Guénes which are Channell'd and very well wrought All this Monument is exactly Beautiful and of a very singular Design It is the Work of Monsieur Anguerre one of the ablest Sculptors that France ever produced The Body of Monsieur de Souvré is not interr'd in this place but only his Heart There is nothing else remarkable The Church in which this Monument is Erected is very antient and ill built As you leave this place and go on in the Ruë Saint Jacques you come to The Colledge du Plessis which was formerly call'd the Colledge of St. Martin by reason that its first Founder Geoffrey du Plessis Secretary to Pope John XXII had a very great Devotion to that Saint But the Cardinal de Richelieu to Eternize the Founder's Memory restored it to his Name and after he had Rebuilt it magnificently he caused it to be called The Colledge du Plessis de Richelieu This Colledge hath the best contrived and handsomest Lodgings of all the University and is also the fullest of Pensioners and Scholars The Doctors of the Sorbonne have the Direction of this Colledge and place the Principal and Regents A little higher in the Street is The Jesuits Colledge OVer the Gate you read this fair Inscription COLLEGIUM LUDOVICI MAGNI The Colledge of Lewis the Great It was formerly called the Colledge of Clermont being built for the Scholars of that Town in imitation of some other Colledges of the University In the last Age Messire Guillaume Duprat Bishop of Clermont being at the Council of Trent on behalf of this Kingdom of France contracted there a particular Friendship with certain Fathers Jesuits whom he met with at that Assembly he conceived so high an esteem of their Learning and Piety that at his return he brought them with him into France to instruct our Youth in humane Learning but more especially in the Purity of the Romish Religion which at that time was disturb'd with the Heresie of Luther and Calvin This Prelate brought in his Company to Paris Father Paquier Broüet with several others of that Society whom so long as he lived he entertained in his own House but at his Death left them by his Testament Three thousand Livres of Rent and a very considerable
Year of Salvation 1582. on the Calends of November You may also read in the same Chapel the Epitaph of his Eldest Son and of several other persons of this Family who are here interr'd In St. Anthony's Chapel near this are the Tombs of several Ancestors of the Chancellor Seguier to whom France owes a great part of her Renown in Learning These Illustrious Fathers of a Son no way degenerating were of the same name with him Peter Seguier and did execute in their times the principal Charges in Parliament as may be seen by the Inscriptions in this Chapel On the same Church you may read the Epitaph of the Princess of Conti who deceased in the Year 1668. and whose Piety is still Reverend in the Eyes of the whole World This is in the Quire on one side of the high Altar Upon the Monument is placed a handsom Figure of White Marble representing Hope Afflicted it was wrought by M. Girardon Felow the Figure is this Inscription A LA GLOIRE DE DIEU ET A LA MEMOIRE ETERNELLE D'ANNE-MARIE MARTINOZZY PRINCESSE DE CONTY Qui detrompée du monde dés l'âge de XIX ans vendit ses pierreries pour nourrir pendant la famine de 1662. les pauvres de Berry de Campagne de Picardie pratiqua toutes les austeritez que sa santé put soussrir demeura veuve à l'âge de XXIX ans consacra le reste de sa vie à élever en Princes Chretiens les Princes ses Enfans à maintenir les Loix temporelles ecclesiastiques dans ses Terres se reduisit à une dépence tres-modeste restitua tous les biens dont l'acquisition lui fut suspecte jusqu ' à la somme de D. CCC mille livres distribua toute son épargne aux Pauvres dans ses Terres dans toutes les parties da Monde passa soudainement à l'éternité aprés XVL. ans de perseverance le IV. Fevrier M. DC LXXII âgée de XXXVI ans Priez Dieu pour elle LOUIS ARMAND DE BOURBON PRINCE DE CONTI ET FANCOISLOUIS DE BOURBON PRINCE DE LA ROCHE-SUR-YON ses Enfans ont posé ce Monument To the Glory of God And the Eternal Memory of ANNA-MARIA MARTINOZZY Princess of CONTY Who being undeceived and weaned from the World at the Age of Nineteen Years sold her Jewels in the Famine 1662. for the relief of the Poor in Berry Champagne and Picardy practised all the Austerities which a Religious and Holy Life can endure became a Widow at the Age of 29. Years and consecrated the rest of her Life to the Education of her Sons like true Christian Princes and to the maintaining the Laws Temporal and Ecclesiastick in her Lands reduced her self to a mean expence restored all the Goods she had which were any ways suspected by her to be unjustly gotten to the Summ of Eight hundred thousand Livres distributed all the Overplus of her Revenue to the Poor in her Lands and indeed in all parts of the World and after Sixteen Years of perseverance past suddainly to Eternity on the Fourth of February M. D C. LXXII Aged Thirty six Years Pray to God for her Lewis Armand de Bourbon Prince of Conti and Francois-Louis de Bourbon Prince de la Roche-Sur-Yon her Sons raised this Monument In all this Quarter there is nothing considerable but only the Hôtel de Thou where formerly lived the Famous persons of that Name who also built it The Famous Library of which we formerly made mention and which Monsieur de Menars purchased some Years ago did for a long time remain in this House The Hôtel de Megrigni is not far off this is also in the Rüe des Poitevins This last is built with much regularity and though the Apartments are not very spacious yet are they convenient In the Rüe Haute-Feüille at the further end next the Cordeliers stands the Colledge of the Premonstrantes In this Colledge the Religious of that Order study in the way to attain their degrees in the University The Church hath been considerably repair'd of late Years by the care of Monsieur Colbert Abbot and General of this Order who hath caused it to be adorn'd within throughout with a handsom Wainscot The Convent of Cordeliers THis Monastery was built about the Year 1217. in the Pontificate of Pope Honorius the III. while St. Francis was yet living at Assisium in Italy Some of the Religious Men of the new Order which that great Saint did institute came into France the first who arrived at Paris were Lodged in the Houses of certain Burgesses but afterwards at the Solicitation of the forementioned Pope who writ to William then Bishop of this City in their behalf they were taken notice of and in the Year 1230. Eudo Abbot of St Germain des Prez gave them the place where they now inhabit at this day The Kings of France did after this become great Benefactors to them St. Lewis gave more than all he caused their Church to be built not as we see it at present but as it was before the Fire which happened here in the Year 1580. and reduced all into Ashes and part also of the Convent ruining many Marble Tombs of several Princes and Princesses of the Blood-Royal which then stood in the Quire but can hardly now be remember'd However according to the report of Giles Corozet these were the Principal namely that of Mary Queen of France Wife of Philip the hardy Son of St. Lewis of Jane Queen of France and Navarre Wife of Philip the Fair and Foundress of the Colledge of Navarre as we have already said the Heart of Philip the Long and others whom it would be to no purpose to mention The Body of the Cordeliers is one of the most numerous of all Paris There are always here resident a great number of Students who come hither from divers parts of the Kingdom in order to take their Degrees of Doctor in Divinity which makes them considerable among themselves We have seen very great Men come from this House among others Nicholas de Lira esteemed the most knowing of his Age in the Tongues but more especially in Divinity and John Scot surnamed Doctor Subtilis who through his profound Science hath raised a Singular Tenent taught and read in their Schools which notwithstanding is founded on the Principles of Aristotle The only Curiosity to be observed in the Convent of these Fathers is their new Cloister which contains near a hundred Chambers all very neat and very lightsome it is Square and in the middle is a small Garden adorn'd with a Parterre and a Fountain The Four Coridors or Walks which compose this Cloister are vaulted and adorn'd with the Armes of those pious Persons who did contribute to the Charges of the Building which were not small The Refectory the Chapter-House and the Library are worth seeing as for the Church it hath nothing Curious There are in it two famous Brotherhoods one of
Seals de Chateau-neuf dwelt here These are the principal things that are to be seen in this Quarter Behind St. Eustache lies the Rüe Montmartre near the further end of which Street stands the little Church of St. Joseph in whose Church-yard is interred the famous Moliere so well known for his Comedies Near St. Eustache is the great Market called la Halle which place ought to be avoided as much as may be because of the continual Crowd of People that frequent it Formerly they executed the Criminals here as they do now at the Greve And we read in the History of Charles VI. that the Provost of Paris named Montaigu who was also great Treasurer had in this place by means of the Duke of Bourgoyn his head chopt off to the great regret of the Parisians he being a very good man But the King abhorring this cruel Act of Injustice which had been done in his Name during the time of his distraction restored his Memory and Family again to their former honour and the Celestins of Paris to whom he had given his House of Marcoussy went and took down his Body from the Gibbet at Monfaucon four Months after his Death and having performed his Funeral Offices in the most Magnificent manner they could they interred his Body at Marcoussy where they raised him a Monument which remains at this day This was a rare example of gratitude and generosity in Monks as is well observed by Juvenal des Vrsius Arch-Bishop of Reins a faithful Historian of that Kings Reign Near the Rüe Montorgueil is the Hôtel de Bourgogne which House the ancient Dukes of that name formerly gaveto the Brotherhood of the Passion established in the Church of Trinity-Hospital in the Rüe S. Denis on condition that they should represent here interludes of Devotion but since those times Peoples Relish being changed they have since represented here other Plays of Profane Subjects And at present the Italian Comedians are possessed of this House since the union of the two Companies of French Players which the King caused three or four years ago This Theatre is perhaps one of the Ancientest of Europe for it is thought that there have been publick Shows in this place six hundred years ago In former times Comedies were only represented by wandring Companies of Pilgrims of the holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem who were since called Jongleurs These having no certain Residence used at the corners of Streets to relate the Adventures which they had met with in their Travels and People being concerned at their stories and commiserating the several dangers they had passed through would give them very liberally considerable Alms. The ancient Dukes of Burgundy seeing People take some pleasure in hearing them he gave them a Room in his Hôtel where all people might come and hear them with better conveniency than in the Street But in time these Masters of devout Subjects degenerated into profane Tales and in effect so very profane that they became meer Farces and very irregular representations In such sort that Christianity could not honestly permit them Thus it lasted during the ignorance of those Ages And it was this that still gives occasion to those who do not consider the difference between this ancient sort of Comedies and those now acted to consound all together Whereas in truth the nature of Comedy is so far changed by the care of the great Cardinal de Richelieu that there remains nothing of that which made it Condemned ADjoyning to the Rüe Montorgüeil is the Rüe Mont-martre and divers little streets run from one to the other the Principal of which is the Rüe de Cleri in which stands the House of M. Bertelot Intendant of the Houshold to Madam the Dauphiness It is composed of two joyning Courts of a very particular design The Furniture is very handsom Near this is another House belonging to the Sieur Rolland built after the designs of Monsieur des Argues a famous Architect by the outward appearance you may easily conclude that it belongs to one of an excellent Judgment But the inside and the Front next the Court surpass all the rest Nothing can be more regular nor better proportioned than the Staircase which is raised upon a very odd sort of Plan and where the Architect had need of all his Art and Study to have made it as it is This is all of note in this Quarter Some other things there may be of which I have not spoke but they appear of so little Consideration that they are not thought worth mentioning In the next place we pass to The Rue St. Denis This Street begins at the great Châtelet which stands at the end of Pont au Change as we have already said In this place the Civil and Criminal Courts are held for the City and Prevôtè or Provostship of Paris which Jurisdiction is at present divided into two parts according to the course of the River into the old and new Châtelet and the Officers know their several Divisions The great Butchery which is near the great Châtelet is the oldest of all Paris nay heretofore it was the only one It did heretofore belong to a Community of Townsmen who made among themselves a kind of little Republick which bore such Credit and Authority among the Inhabitants that often times there happened great Disorders through the discontent of these People who under the Reign of Charles VI. took part with the Factious At present this Butchery is reunited to the rest of Paris Further on is The Hospital of the Nuns of St. Catherine These are bound to entertain for one night such poor Maids as are in want They are also obliged to bury the Bodies of those that are found dead in several places and who are to be exposed some days at the Châtelet to see if they can be known Near this is the Church of St. Opportune This was formerly a Priory of Nuns depending on the Abby of Almaneche in Normandy within the Diocess of Seeze but at present it is a Collegiate Church of eight or ten Chanons who here perform the Ecclesiastical Offices Going still forward you come to The Fountain of the Holy Innocents This Fountain stands at the corner of the Rüe aux-Fers a Street full of Mercers and Silk-men It is the admiration of all that are skilled in Architecture and Sculpture and without doubt it is one of the handsomest objects in its kind that can be seen by reason of the Basses-tailles extremely fine both for the design and performance most of the Figures represent Nymphs in divers Postures pouring Streams of Water out of their Urns. The Chevalier Bernin who was of a Gust difficult enough admired this Work and prosessed that he had not seen any thing so fine in all France It was made by the famous John Gougeon who finished it in the year 1550. In the upper part you may read this Inscription Fontium Nymphis To the Nymphs of the Fountains A little beyond stands the
Church of the holy Sepulchre which was first built for the Pilgrims of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem who were here entertained for some days At present it is a Collegiate-Church the Collation of whose Chanons belongs to the Chapter of Nôtre-Dame The Altar is very handsomly wrought and the Picture over it was Monsieur Colberts gift and Painted by Monsieur le Brun. The Church of St. Leu and St. Giles is a little further In one of the Chappels here is interred the Mother of Monsieur the first President de Lamoignon whose Tomb of Marble is a well wrought thing and designed by Monsieur Girardon on it is a Bas-relief much esteemed The Picture over the great Altar is also highly valued it being the work of one Porbus a famous Painter A little higher is the Hospital of St. Jacques on the other side of the way It was founded by the Alms of certain Citizens who obtained a Licence of Lewis Hutin in the year 1315. It was formerly appointed for the entertainment and lodging of those who passed this way in their Journey to St. James in Galicia At present the Revenue is annexed to the Invalides We say nothing of the Hospital of the Trinity nor of the Church of St. Saviour there being nothing curious in them no more than there is in the Houses of the Penitent Nuns and of those called Filles-Pieu which were built and endowed by St. Lewis yet at the Church of these last you may observe the great Altar which they have built of late after the same manner with that of St. Martin des Champs The Kings Statue In the Hôtel de St. Chaumont where dwells Monsieur the Mareschal de la Feüillade we ought to see the Kings Statue which that illustrious Mareschal hath caused to be made at a great expence representing the King in a Roman Habit Crowned with Lawrel It is about eleven or twelve foot high and but of one block of Marble the greatest that was ever yet seen at Paris The Pedestal on which it must be placed will be very high and on the four sides will be several Bas-reliefs in Brass representing the History of divers great Actions in this Kings Reign as the taking of Bezanzon the famous Passage of the Rhine the general Peace of Nuneguen and the satisfaction which Spain made to the King in the year 1661. in relation to what passed at London about Monsieur the Mareschal de Estrade at that time Ambassador from France into England Four Captives loaden with Chains lie at the bottom on a heap of ancient Arms. But of late the design of the Statue it self hath been changed it will be of Brass and in that habit which he wore at his Coronation and which is always preserved in the Treasury of St. Denis with Immortality behind him Crowning him with Laurel This Monument is of a design most magnifick and the Sieur des Jardins hath continually been employed about it for above three years past It is not yet known in what place this curious Statue will be fixed where it may best be exposed to the publick view and such a place is now under consideration It is said however that Monsieur the Mareschal de la Feüillade who hath been at all this expence to demonstrate to Posterity the Gratitude he hath for the Kings Favours hath very lately for the sum of fourscore thousand Crowns purchased the Hôtel de la Ferte-Senoterre to make a Square in the midst of which he intends to place this Statue Monsieur de Santeüil Chanon of St. Victor one of the ablest Wits of this Age for Inscriptions in Verse is now composing an Inscription for this piece which will acquaint Posterity with the Wonders of the present Reign A little higher you will see a Fountain lately built with these verses engraven upon it Qui fontes aperit Qui slumina dividit Vrbi Ille est quem domitis Rhenus adorat aquis At whose command Rivers to Fountains turn To him doth Rhine submit his Captive Urn. The Gate of St. Denis Of all the new Gates which the Eschevins have built since they first undertook by the Kings Order to beautifie the City of Paris this is the most magnificent It is built upon the same Foundation where the old Gate stood which was very inconvenient This new building is threescore and eleven foot high and of the same wideness The overture of the Gate it self is four and twenty on each side This overture is accompanied on each side with Pyramids charged with Trophies of War under their Pedestals on each hand they have contrived a lesser Gate as an additiâ—n to the great one in the middle overwhose Arch â— a Bass relief representing on the town side the â—assage over the Rhine and on that side next the Fauxbourg the taking of Maestricht and lastly to render the whole more intelligible under each Pyramid these inscriptions are engraven upon Tables of white Marble on the side next the City EMENDATA MALE MEMORI BATAVORUM GENTE PRAEF ET AEDIL. PONI CC. ANN. R. S. H. M. DCLXXII The Dutch being Corrected The Praefect and Aediles caused this to be set up in the year from the Redemption of the World 1672. Quod Diebus vix Sexaginta Rhenum Vahalim Mosam Isolam Superavit Subegit Provincias tres Cepit Vrbes munitas Quadraginta That in scarce sixty days he pass'd the Rhine the Wael the Maes and the Issel That he conquered three Provinces and took forty Walled Towns On the side next the Faux-bourg as follows QUOD TRAJECTUM AD MOSAM XIII DIEBUS CEIPT PRAEâ— ET AEDIL. PONI CC. ANNO R. S. H. M. DCLXXIII In Memory of the taking of Maestricht in thirteen days The Praefect and Aediles caused this to be set up in the year from the Redemption of the World 1673. The Freese on each side hath this Inscription in Letters of Gold LVDOVICO MAGNO To Lewis the Great This Gate is of a most magnificent appearance and is in its kind one of the fairest Works of the World The Top is uncovered after the manner of the old Triumphal Arches which are seen at Rome Monsieur Blondel designed all the new Gates and also all the other Imbellishments that are raised in Paris of late years the Inscriptions also are his which make that Learned Persons ability appear extraordinary in all things In the Faux-burg we ought to see The House of the Fathers of the Mission of St. Lazarus Of late years these Fathers have raised much building for the entertainment of their numerous Society Formerly this was a Maladrery that is an Hospital for Leprous People But that Disease being ceased in this last Age these Lazer houses have been converted to other uses and this here being fallen into the hands of Father Vincent de Paul Institutor of the Mission it is become the head or principal Seat of all his Congregation Whose Institution is to go abroad into remote Villages and there to instruct the poor Peasants and
least Severity are permitted to walk and take the Air. It was built in the Reign of Charles VI. in the year 1360. by one Jaques Aubriot at that time Prevost of Paris At present it serves for a Prison to those who are Criminals of State And Monsieur de Bezemeaux the Governor is obliged to maintain a Company of Soliders to guard the place The Gate of St. Antoine This Gate stands on one side of the Bastille and leads to the Faux-bourg St. Antoine It was built for Henry II. and dedicated to him as a Triumphal Arch. Some years since they have beautified this Gate considerably in pulling down another old one near this place which caused continual Stops and in adding to this two other new ones which make the passage much more easie and give more room for Coaches and Carts to enter One may see by a small Inscription which is still preserved that this Building was the Work of Metezeau the worthy Father of him whom we have formerly mentioned he was a man of extraordinary ability as we may easily conclude from this Work which in its kind is one of the finest things that can be seen The famous Monsieur Blondel who had the Care of Ordering all the new Works which have of late been raised at Paris did not think that any thing could be added to its beauty and was contented only to make a new passage on each side that that in the middle might be the freer The hansomest Front looks towards the Suburbs It is in the manner of Rustick Bossage with a great Entablement or Cornish of the Dorick Order which runs along all the Work over which is an Attique The Statue of the King stands above all and two small Pyramids on each hand at the utmost edges On the Attique these Inscriptions are ingraved LUDOVICO MAGNO PRAEFECTUS ET AEDILES ANN. R.S.H. MDCLXXII QUOD ORBEM AUXIT ORNAVITU LOCUPLETAVIT P.C. To LEWIS the Great The Praefect and Aediles in the year from the Redemption of the World MDCLXXII In memory of his enlarging adorning and enriching the City Placed and Consecrated this But that which the Curious esteem more are two pieces of Sculpture on each side the Arch of the first Work and certain Figures of the manner of Jean Gouâ—on representing Rivers and ancient Deities On that sâ—de next the Town they have made the same thing imitating the Arch-work in the middle of the Gate which the Architects have found to be so singular and handsom that this here hath given name to all the other Gates that have been built since Between the three Arches under which we pass they have placed in Bas-relief a Copy of that Medal which the Town caused to be stampt for the King representing his Majesty with this Inscription LUDOVICUS MAGNUS FRANCORUM ET NAVARRAE REX P. P. 1671. Lewis the Great King of France and Navarre They made it 1671. On the Reverse of the Medal which is placed on the other side is represented Virtue sitting and leaning on a Shield on which are the Arms of the Town with this Motto FELICITAS PUBLICA The Publick happiness And at the Bottom LUTETIA PARIS Between the Gâ—te and the Bastion it has been thought necessary to make a Rampe or Winding ascent forty eight foot large to make the access to the Rampart more easie and convenient At the entry near the Door of a little neat Garden is placed the following Inscription looking two ways On that side next the Faux-bourg LUDOVICUS MAGNUS PROMOTIS IMPERII FINIBUS ULTRA RHENUM ALPES ET PYRENAEOS POMOERIUM HOC MORE PRISCO PROPAGAVIT ANN. R. S. H. MDCLXX Lewis the Great having enlarged the Borders of his Empire beyond the Rhine the Alps and the Pyreneans has also enlarged this void space about the Walls of the Town after the ancient manner in the year from the Redemption of the World MDCLXX On that side next the Town you read these Words LUDOVICUS MAGNUS ET VINDICATAS CONJUGIS AUGUSTAE DOTALES URBES VALIDA MUNITIONE CINXIT ET HOC VALLUM CIVIUM DELICIIS DESTINARI JUSSIT ANN. R. S. H. MDCLXXI Lewis the Great has Fortified those Towns which he recovered in the Right of his Lady And prepared this Rampart for the Delight of the Citizens in the year from the Redemption of the World MDCLXXI The Rampart is planted with four Rows of Trees which make a very pleasing Walk and leads to St. Martins Gate It is composed of one great Ally and of two counter-Allies that in the middle is threescore foot and the other two between eighteen and twenty foot large The Gate of St. Lewis which was lately new built stands about the middle of this Rampart on which Gate you may read this Inscription LUDOVICUS MAGNUS AVO DIVO LUDOVICO ANN. R. S. H. MDCLXXIV Lewis the Great to his Ancestor St. Lewis In the year from the Redemption of the World MDCLXXIV All these Works are of Monsieur Blondel's designing who also made the Inscriptions Without the Porte St. Antoine as you enter into the Faux-Bourg is made a great round Esplanade on which they have placed two great Statues sitting upon Trophies of Arms. All the Faux-bourg St. Antoine consists of three great Streets only namely the great Rüe Saint Antoine which lies in the middle the Rüe de Charonne and the Rüe de Charenton In the middle Street which is the fairest is the new Hospital built for exposed Children Many pious persons have contributed to this excellent Charity among others the Chancellor Aligre's Lady who hath there an Apartment The Church and the publick buildings of the House are not yet quite finished The Abby of St. Antâ—ine is farther on This Abby gives name to all this Quarter Many very remarkable Stories are told of the Foundation of this House but in regard they do not sute with the Gust of this Age I do not think it proper to insert them here This Abby began to be built about the year 1193. and was finished in the Reign of St. Lewis who was present and assisting at its Dedication together with Queen Blanch of Castile his Mother The Order of Cistertian Nuns was here placed by the solicitation of Odo de Suilly Bishop of Paris The House is extreme numerous and very well Governed The Abbess is Madame Molé of Champlââ—reux of one of the most Illustrious Families of the Long Robe and Daughter of the late Monsieur the first President Molé Keeper of the Seals of France The Church hath in it nothing very considerable unless it be the Tombs of two Princesses Daughters of Charles the sixth lying on both sides of the great Altar As you go into the Street beyond this Abby is the Manufactury of Looking-glasses which were formerly brought from Venice But Monsieur Colbert observing how great a Treasure this Trade had yearly drawn out of the Kingdom established this Manufacture which has had a very happy Success as indeed all other matters have had which that
Father Augereau in the little Garden adjoyning deserves to be seen there are some good Pictures and curious Prints This Father is very skilfull in these matters but he hath not the opportunity of making any great Collection These Monks are very regular and never eat any flesh unless they be sick or happen to be above two leagues from home They observe much the same Rule with the Cistercians being a branch of that Order Near this on the edg of the River is the Hôtel de Fieubet belonging to Monsieur Fieubet Counsellor of State in Ordinary and Chancellor to the deceased Queen He caused it to be built about three or four years ago One can hardly desire a neater house than this both within and without The Stair-case is very light and adorned with Busts between the Windows The apartments are contrived in enfilade as the mode is at present on one side they look into the Garden and on the other side upon the River The Furniture is of the same neatness as well in the Rooms above Stairs as below The great piece of Perspective on the adjoyning wall is very fine it is painted in Fresco with a great deal of fancy It represents a Building composed of two great Arches between which are some Pillars and a Statue of an Hero between them Over all there is a Sun-dial about which are placed several Figures among others a Woman pulling Feathers out of a Cocks tail to point out the hours upon a Tablet and Time over her head seems to approve the Action All the Work keeps its Colours very well which is not usual in Paintings exposed to the injuries of the Air which last but a short time especially in Paris where the Air is very moist in Winter and the driness of the Summer very great in such sort that it is difficult for any Plaister to defend it self against these extremities This is the Work of Monsieur Rousseau who did that at Monsieur Poüange's In the same Row you have the Hôtel de la Vieville whose entrance is but dark yet is the inside capacious and convenient enough The Church of St. Paul which is the Parish Church of this Quarter is in the Street that runs along near the last mentioned Hôtel Formerly this Church was the Parish Church of the Kings house while the Court remained at the Palais des Tournelles It was built as is to be seen in the Reign of Charles VI. As you go towards the Isle of Nostre-Dame you come again to the Convent of the Nuns of the Ave-Maria in the Rüe des Barrieres They are of St. Clares Order St. Lewis had formerly placed in this house certain Beguines which were Nuns of the Order of St. Begue a Fleming by extraction They wore a Coif that hid almost all their Face But in the Reign of Lewis XI Queen Charlotte introduced the third Order of St. Francis with the Reform and her Son King Charles VIII built for the Friers the house adjoyning separated only by the passage that leads to the Church There is not in all Paris any Convent of Nuns who live more austere than these They never eat any Flesh nor wear any Linnen and besides that they rise at midnight and go continually barefoot without Sandals or Stockings with a strict observance of a perpetual Silence Nor can we find in any Convent a greater Stock of Virtue and more disesteem and neglect of secular affairs These good Nuns never think of the World but when they pray to God to forgive the disorders which are committed in it And as they have no other Subsistence than by Alms so have they no other trust than to the Divine Providence which is never wanting Paris containing so great a number of Pious People by whose Charity they are maintained Seldom or never are any permitted to speak with them so that in the midst of Paris they are as much retired from the World asâ—if in the darkest solitude On this account you very rarely see my Coaches at their Gate At such times as they are obliged to speak to their nearest Relations it must be in the Church they having not throughout their whole house any other Parloir or speaking Room The Tomb of the illustrious Ancestors of Monsieur the Arch-Bishop of Paris who have been concerned with honour in the greatest Employments stands in a Chappel belonging to this Church A little further is the Hôtel de Sens with an old Gothick Gate but handsom enough Formerly the Arch-Bishops of that City who were Metropolitans of Paris resided here But under the Pontificate of Vrban VIII Paris having been dismembred from that Arch Bishoprick this Hotel hath been since let out to several particular persons who pay their Rents to the Arch-Bishop of Sens. After this you pass over the Bridge called Pont-Marie to go into the Isle de Nostre-Dame Observe as you go that this Bridge is not so full of Houses as it might be in regard that in March 1657. the River being extraordinarily overflown it carried away two Arches n the night time to a very great loss both of Persons and Goods which perished miserably This Bridg took its name from the undertaker of the Work in the year 1614 who was called Marie The Isle of Nostre-Dame The Isle of Nostre-Dame takes its name from the Church of Paris to which it belongs as part of their Estate All the houses which we see there at present are the work of this Age. It was formerly a Meadow ground where people of all sorts used to walk to take the Air in the middle of which place stood a small Chappel Dedicated to St. Lewis At present it is all compassed about with a Key of Free-stone very firm and filled with very handsom houses among which there are some most magnifick and which may be compared with the most beautiful Palaces especially those which are situated at the corner on the East side where the Seine divides it self into two Arms to make the Isle The Streets are strait and all end upon the edge of the River The first house which ought to be observed on the side of Pont-Marie is that of Monsieur de Grand-Maison which appears to be solidly built and whose inside is extreme handsom As you pass further you come to the house of Monsieur Lambert de Terigny President of the Chamber of Accounts whose chief Entrance is from the Rüe St. Louis which crosses the Isle from one end to the other This House is magnifick in all its parts the Gate is great and high and the Lock-smiths Work is very extraordinary But this is not that which is most observable The four sides of the Court are adorned each with a Front of admirable Buildings set off with great Ionick Pilasters which reach from the Ground to the top of the Fabrick with Vases upon the tops The Staircase is placed at the bottom of the Court with two Ranks of Pillars directly over which the light falls full
at present that Custom is alter'd It ought to be observ'd that the famous Erasmus of Roterdam did for some time dwell in this Colledge Next to this Quarter we ought to go into the Rüe Saint Jacques which Street begins at the Little Châtelet at the end of the Petit Pont. The Little CHATELET THis is a kind of antient Fortress composed of a great mass of Buildings open in the middle and served formerly as one of the Town-Gates as did also the great Châtelet this was when Paris had no greater Extent than the Isle of the Palais This Building was repair'd by King Robert under whom France enjoy'd a Peace of two and forty years during which that good Prince had convenient time to amass a very great Treasure which he deposited in this Fortress notwithstanding the great Bounties which he bestowed upon Churches and his great Charities with which he relieved the Poor Some Antiquaries will not allow this place to be so Antient but say that it was Built by Aubriot Provost of Paris the same person who Built the Bastille and that he did it to restrain the Insolences of the Scholars of the University who often used to make Invasions on the Townsmen and thereby occasioned very great Disorders THE RUE SAINT JACQUES THis Street is almost all inhabited by Booksellers by reason of the Neighbouring University The first thing of Note that you observe here is The Church of Saint Severin which is very Antient and one may think so in regard the Patron himself was the Founder Who lived in the Reign of Clovis and was by him invited out of Savoy where he was at that time a Hermite to come into France and cure him of a grievous Fever with which that King was afflicted and was at last cured through the Prayers of this Holy Man During his abode at Paris he dwelt in this place at that time very solitary where there had been already built a small Chappel in a Wood Dedicated to St. Clement Having remain'd here some time he resolved to return to his former dwelling but as he past by Château-Landon a small Village in Gatinois he met with two Priests who dwelt there in the reputation of Sanctity he stopt his Journey and after two years abode with them he dyed there Childebert caused a Church to be built in the same place which is at present an Abby of St. Augustine's Order of the Congregation of St. Geneviéve It is not well known when this Parish-Church was built but according to Appearance it is not above 200. years old There is nothing to be seen in it of Curiosity it being but an old Gothick Building not very regular and very dark in some places The great Altar was finisht but a while ago it is composed of eight small Marble Pillars disposed in form of a Semi-Circle which support a Dome cut in half as it were with some Ornaments of Brass gilt which shew very handsomly it is the Workmanship of Monsieur le Brun. In the Church-Yard the side next the Church is raised a Tomb upon which in a demicumbent Posture is the Figure of a Young Lord of East-Friseland who dyed here being a Scholar of this University His Name was d'Embda The Tomb was built by his Mother's Order a Lady extraordinarily afflicted at his Death he being her only Son and the Presumptive Heir of Friseland The two Epitaphs on his Monument are as follow Nobilitate generis Comitum Orientalis Phrisiae animi corporisque doâ—ibus praeclaro D. Ennoni de Embda Civitatis Embdensis Praeposito ac electo Satrapae propter certam hujus corporis resurrecturi spem ac in amoris sinceri testimonium avia materque pia unico suo filio qui bic ex studiorum â—ursu patriae ac amicis omnibus magno cum luctu anno aetatis suae XXIII morte praereptus est hoc monumentum statuerunt ANNO DOMINI 1545. 18 JULII To Enno d'Embda of the Noble Family of the Earls of East-â—riseland and of a beautiful Mind and Body Provost of the City of Embden and Chief Magistrate elect in sure hope of the Resurrection of the Body and in Testimony of their sincere Love his Grand-Mother and Mother to their only Son who was here snatch'd by Death from his Studies to the great Grief of his Country and Friends in the XXIII Year of his Age erected this Monument In the Year of our LORD 1545. 18. of July On the other side of the Tomb are these Verses Quid fuerint nostra haec recubans commonstrat imago Quid sim quam teneo putrida calva docet Peccati hanc poenam nobis ingenuere parentes Cujus sed Christus solvere vincela venit Hunc miht viventi spes qui fuit morienti Aeternam corpus quale habet ille dabit Peccati fidei Christique hinc perspice vires Vt te mortisices vivisicetque Deus What once I was this Image doth disclose And what I am the Carcase under shews This said reward of Sin our Parents gave But our deliverance from Christ we have He 's now my Hope when dead as when alive A Body Glorious like his own he 'll give Of Sin Faith Christ this Tomb the force displays Who mortifies himself him God will raise On the other side of the Rüe Saint Jacques as you enter into the Rüe Galande which Street butts upon the former there stands a very antient Church named Saint Julien le Pauvre which doubtless was formerly an Hospital Gregory of Tours in the ninth Book and the ninth Chapter of his Works mentions it and tells us That coming to Paris on certain private affairs he Lodged in this place at such time as they had taken a Notorious Cheat who pretended he had brought from Spain certain precious Reliques among others some of St. Vincent and St. Felix with which no doubt he would have abused the Credulity of the Parisians But when his pretended Reliques came to be examined they found in his Bag nothing but the Roots of divers Plants the Teeth of Moles the Bones of Mice with the Fat and Claws of Bears Which things being apprehended to serve only for some Magical use or other they were all thrown into the River The Cheat himself was committed close Prisoner and put in Chains according to the Custom of those times This happen'd in the Reign of Chilperic who was unhappily slain just entering into his Palace at Chelles as he return'd from Hunting about the Year Five hundred Eighty four A little further on in the Rüe Saint Jacques is The Church of Saint Yves built in the year 1347. at the Charge and Care of a â—amous Confraternity of Bretons at that time residing at Paris and who caused Divine Service to be there Celebrated daily by certain Ecclesiasticks whom they hired On the side of this Chappel lyes The Rüe des Noïers which hath been of late enlarged and thereby render'd much more commodious than formerly The MATHURINS THE Convent of these
Summ of Money with which they purchased a void piece of Ground then called the Court de Langres in the Ruë St. Jacques being the place where they now are This they named the Colledge of Clermont their great Benefactor having been Bishop of that City Henry III. was pleas'd to lay the first Stone on which this Inscription was then graved RELIGIONIS AMPLIFICANDAE STUDIO HENRICUS III. CHRISTIANISS REX FRANCIAE ATQUE POLONIAE IN AUGUSTISS JESU NOMEN PIETATIS SUAE MONUMENTUM HUNC PRIMUM LAPIDEM IN EJUS TEMPLI FUNDAMENTUM CONJECIT ANNO DOMINI 1582. DIE 20. APRILIS With a desire of enlarging Religion Henry III the most Christian King of France and Poland to the honour of the most Glorious JESVS as a Monument of his Piety laid this first Stone in the Foundation of his Temple In the YearÌ„ of our Lord 1582. the 20. Day of April There is nothing of singular Remark in the Building belonging to this Colledge yet there are here many Observable things which you can hardly meet with elsewhere As first the great quantity of Chambers and Lodgings fill'd to the least Corner contriv'd with very great Industry The great number of Pensionaries most of which are of considerable Quality besides the multitude of Scholars that come from abroad which sometimes amount to Two or Three thousand These study together in the most regular Order and Discipline of the World The Schools are Six in number besides those set apart for the Study of Philosophy Divinity and the Mathematicks Which last are not used but only by Young Jesuits who still pursue their Course of Studies or at least by some Pensionaries who design not to take any Degrees in the University for those who propose to themselves to be Masters of Arts or Doctors are obliged to study Philosophy in some of the Colledges of the University One thing extream laudable among these Fathers is that all their Scholars are obliged to go to Confession every Month so that at the same time the Parents are freed from the Care both of their Childrens Consciences as well as Studies The Chappel of this Colledge is small and obscure It stands on the Right Hand as you enter There is nothing to be seen there but upon Feast days and at such time the Altar is one of the richest and best furnisht They have there an Antipendium all of Silver and another of a rich Embroidery of Gold very high raised upon a Ground of Silver The Apartments in the hinder part of the House are more convenient than those in the fore part the Armes of Monsieur Fouquet in their Front speak him to be the Builder of that part as also of the main Body of the Edifice which is at the further part of the Garden near the little Colledge de Marmoutier which has been annext to this to augment it In this apartment they have placed their Library which beyond all contradiction is one of the fairest and most numerous of all Paris as well for the Quality as Quantity of Books there to be seen There is also a good number of antient Manuscripts and of Heretical Books chiefly of the Socinians which fill almost a little Room themselves Besides this a very excellent Collection of the Spanish History as well general as particular Histories of the several Provinces of that Kingdom and of the Famous persons who have therein inhabited these Authors are either in Spanish or Latin There is also a great quantity of Mathematicians and Humanists which take up a little Gallery which they have contrived into several Presses for altho this Library does consist of two long Wings of building yet it is all too little and they are forced to employ this Gallery for the receit of the lesser Volumes At one end of this Gallery hangs a piece of Bassan representing the Combat of the Centaures and the Lapithites this Monsieur Fouquet gave having first built the Library where it hangs and endowed it with a Thousand Livres of Rent for its Maintenance and Augmentation They preserve here an excellent Sett of Antient Medals but being not disposed into order they seldom are willing to shew them In this Colledge are many able Persons among whom may be reckoned a considerable number of Authors such as are now living are Father Bouhours Author of The Entretiens d Ariste d'Eugene in which you find so much Sweetness and such Purity of Language that it seems a Man that would speak as an accomplisht Person must be sure to imitate his stile his other Works are The Doubts and Remarks on the French Tongue The History of Peter d'Aubusson Grand Master of Rhodes The Life of Saint Ignatius and the Life of St. Francis Xavier Apostle of the Indies and certain Books of Devotion Father Rapin he hath writ The Spirit of Christianity The Importance of Salvation The Belief of the last Ages and Curious Instructions relating to History with some Latin Poems Father de la Râ—e he hath Commented upon certain Antient Authors for the use of Monseigneur the Dauphin and the Tragedies which use to be represented on the Theater at this Colledge are very often Writ by him one may say that he is alike able in many things for the French Verses which have come from his Pen have been much esteem'd Father d'Aroüy before he went into Britany where he now is was much admired for the Mathematical Instruments which he invented he invented one not long since which shew'd us the Motions of the Stars in such a method as is worthy the Curiosity of the most Skilful in that Science They sometimes make Publick Actions in this Colledge which draw a prodigious number of People At the Carnaval they represent some little Latin Tragedy After Easter they expose Enigmatical Questions to be explained for which they have certain Prizes They have also certain Theses to be maintained to which Persons of Quality resort but their greatest Bravery of all is the Grand Tragedy which they represent yearly in the Month of August on a Theater raised on purpose which takes up all the bottom of the Court The Actors are always Pensionaries and Sons of Persons of Quality The finest objects of this Tragedy are the Balets of the Beauchamp's Composition which are danced between the Acts. When all is done they make a distribution of Prizes to those that merit best without any regard to the Quality of the Person which occasions great Emulation among the Youth and makes them use the utmost of their endeavours to gain a Prize which the King gives in the View of such an Assembly As you go from hence a little higher in the Street you have The Church of St. Estienne des Grecs the first and oldest of Paris St. Denis Bishop of this Town as some think was the Founder It is not any way considerable but for its Antiquity Report says That St. Francis of Sales Bishop and Prince of Geneva made his Vows of Chastity and Poverty in this