District of Les Halles

Henri IV was murdered in his carriage on his way to Sully’s home in front of number 11 rue de la Ferronnerie.

Eglise Saint-Eustache — Church of Saint-Eustache

Ravaillac, the murderer, took advantage of a traffic jam holding up the royal carriage. The coat of arms of France and Navarre and the words Henri IV and 14 May 1610 were inserted into the street. Nowadays the inn sign shows a crowned heart, and a stained-glass window inside depicts the attack.

On the forum stands the fontaine des Innocents where the cemetery of the Innocents used to be. It was created by the Protestant sculptor Jean Goujon.

At the east end of the forum an astrological column, called Médicis column, set against the rotunda of the Board of trade. It is the only vestige of the private mansion de Soissons, where Catherine de Médicis and the then princes of Condé lived. Before the Edict of Nantes Protestant worship was held there.

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Associated tours

Paris and the Protestants

Discover 19 places in the centre of Paris which symbolise Protestantism. Just click on the map! A walking tour complemented by photographs and texts to improve your tour.