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The Congregation of the Holy Spirit

Just a few minutes from the new Hôtel du Panthéon you’ll find rue Lhomond, and at number 30 rue Lhomond there’s a doorbell that we advise you to press, and a huge door  we advise you to push open, as behind it hides a secret chapel and other rooms that haven’t really changed much since the 18th century…

La Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - Paris
photos: JasonW

Their full name is the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, but that’s rather a mouthful. Generally called the Holy Ghost Fathers, these missionaries travel the world to try and “make man completely free, act for justice and peace, and participate in development”. They work in 58 countries and their main base in rue Llomond was founded in 1703.

Over 300 years later, not a lot has changed in the building, and even if the large door might put you off, you shouldn’t hesitate to ring the bell, enter and kindly ask if you can look around.

You’ll first see an old staircase going up several floors, surrounded by some rather odd objects, and next door a refectory that looks like it came straight out of Harry Potter!La Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisThen if you go back through the corridor to the other side of the courtyard, you’ll find the chapel. It’s not huge, but impeccabley well preserved, like something from the Château de Fontainebleau or Versailles.

With the sun seeping in from one side through the stained glass windows, its a magical place and not in any guide book we know of. Definitely something you should discover if you’re in the neighbourhood around our hotels!La Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisLa Congrégation du Saint-Esprit - ParisThe Congregation of the Holy Spirit is at 30 rue Lhomond (here)

Entrance free

Official site (in French): www.spiritains.org

To check out all our photos of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, click the play button below, then click the four little arrows bottom right to go into fullscreen mode.