Day 14. Our favourite church in Paris

There are many grand and famous church buildings in Paris. As we don’t speak French we are not really able to attend any services to find out how churches are actually functioning.  On a previous visit we discovered the American Church in Paris and on our only Sunday in Paris we are thrilled to be able to attend this church and not just visit a building.

Although the building is less than a hundred years old it is nevertheless rather grand. The service we attend is traditional, but very well done. A visiting choir from a prestigious school in London is an unexpected highlight. The members are friendly, the church is packed, the message is challenging, the singing is good, the communion is inspiring, the staff of the church are warm and engaging and the prayers challenge us to be committed to making a difference in the world. The church is clearly focussed on the expat community as well as the huge numbers of visitors who come to Paris each year. However the church also has a significant outreach to its local community and those in the area in need.

Col Porter famously wrote the line ‘I love Paris in the summer … when it sizzles’ . This is certainly true of our only Sunday in Paris. Approaching 30 degrees, and overflowing with tourists, Paris is certainly sizzling today.