San Luigi dei Francesi

Seems just a regular church, yet another one in Rome. It is an monument of culture showing the linkage with the French. Famous for the three paintings of Caravaggio on the left side as you look at the altar. Is a must visit place, no to spend too much tome but still get in.

A gorgeous, ronate church, national church of France, home to 3 famous Caravaggio paintings of St Matthew. Unfortunately those paintings were not on display when we visited (only replicas)

You must visit the National French Church in Rome and learn its story. Of course, you want to see the maraveulliose St Matthew Chapel depicted by Caravaggio. Bring 2 euros to turn on the lights. I went at 9:30 a.m. when the church opened its doors. Entrance is free. Ladies, visit the church with your arms covered.

A gorgeous church for the French citizens of Rome, built between 1518 and 1589. The church is built and designed in Baroque style and is small, but magnificent. It's free to get in and you can make a donation. The church has three portals, and statues by Pierre Lestache (1758) depicting Charlemagne, Louis IX of France, Saint Clotilde and Saint Joan of Valois.

The Church of St. Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) is the national church for French citizens living in Rome. They have separate morning and afternoon opening times and entry is free. The building was designed Giacomo della Porta and completed by Domenico Fontana (1589). The facade is tiered with niches fitted with statues of French national heroes. However, what most come here to see is the ornate Baroque interior and in particular the Caravaggio masterpieces inside. The Contarelli Chapel contains Caravaggio's cycle known as the Life of St. Matthew (1599-1600). These three works 'The Calling', 'The Inspiration' and The Martydom' of St. Matthew are remarkable. Expect a small crowd of art lovers and curious other tourists continuing to file into the church and straight to this particular chapel. There is a coin operating machine which is fairly regularly fed by tourists wishing to illuminate the masterpieces so that nice pictures can be taken. Beyond the Caravaggio paintings, the works in other chapels are heavily decorated and fairly nice to view as well. The nave itself is adorned with ornamentation, lots of gilding and a good ceiling fresco. These may be overlooked because of the heavy focus on the Contarelli Chapel but are worth a few minutes of your time as well.

Opulent. Gorgeous. As with so many of the churches we've had the privilege of visiting in Italy, Chiesa San Luigi dei Francesi is breathtakingly beautiful. It is overwhelming to think of the time, effort, skill, and talent that so many artisans and craftspeople put into bringing such works of art into being. April 18, 2024 C & J

Really beautiful baroque style church on the inside! Worth the visit for that. But the 3 large Caravaggio’s take the cake — the Call of St. Matthew is tremendous! Smaller Caravaggio’s also present. Just FYI there is a machine you have to feed coins into to keep the lights on. Someone else fed it money while I was there, but I’d gladly keep the lights on to see it all. The Caravaggio’s are in the back left chapel area.

But a step away from the elegant Piazza Navona lies the splendid church of San Luigi dei Francesi. Much to see here but most people come for the three Carravaggio paintings depicting scenes from the life of St Matthew. The Calling of St Matthew (1599-1600), The Martyrdom of St Matthew (1599-1600)and the altarpiece St Matthew and the Angel (1602). As others have said, avoid the busy times and remember to take two euros to turn on the lights. Early morning is probably best as it does get to be something of a scrum later in the day.

Seems just a regular church, yet another one in Rome. It is an monument of culture showing the linkage with the French. Famous for the three paintings of Caravaggio on the left side as you look at the altar. Is a must visit place, no to spend too much tome but still get in.

A gorgeous, ronate church, national church of France, home to 3 famous Caravaggio paintings of St Matthew. Unfortunately those paintings were not on display when we visited (only replicas)

You must visit the National French Church in Rome and learn its story. Of course, you want to see the maraveulliose St Matthew Chapel depicted by Caravaggio. Bring 2 euros to turn on the lights. I went at 9:30 a.m. when the church opened its doors. Entrance is free. Ladies, visit the church with your arms covered.

A gorgeous church for the French citizens of Rome, built between 1518 and 1589. The church is built and designed in Baroque style and is small, but magnificent. It's free to get in and you can make a donation. The church has three portals, and statues by Pierre Lestache (1758) depicting Charlemagne, Louis IX of France, Saint Clotilde and Saint Joan of Valois.

The Church of St. Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) is the national church for French citizens living in Rome. They have separate morning and afternoon opening times and entry is free. The building was designed Giacomo della Porta and completed by Domenico Fontana (1589). The facade is tiered with niches fitted with statues of French national heroes. However, what most come here to see is the ornate Baroque interior and in particular the Caravaggio masterpieces inside. The Contarelli Chapel contains Caravaggio's cycle known as the Life of St. Matthew (1599-1600). These three works 'The Calling', 'The Inspiration' and The Martydom' of St. Matthew are remarkable. Expect a small crowd of art lovers and curious other tourists continuing to file into the church and straight to this particular chapel. There is a coin operating machine which is fairly regularly fed by tourists wishing to illuminate the masterpieces so that nice pictures can be taken. Beyond the Caravaggio paintings, the works in other chapels are heavily decorated and fairly nice to view as well. The nave itself is adorned with ornamentation, lots of gilding and a good ceiling fresco. These may be overlooked because of the heavy focus on the Contarelli Chapel but are worth a few minutes of your time as well.

Opulent. Gorgeous. As with so many of the churches we've had the privilege of visiting in Italy, Chiesa San Luigi dei Francesi is breathtakingly beautiful. It is overwhelming to think of the time, effort, skill, and talent that so many artisans and craftspeople put into bringing such works of art into being. April 18, 2024 C & J

Really beautiful baroque style church on the inside! Worth the visit for that. But the 3 large Caravaggio’s take the cake — the Call of St. Matthew is tremendous! Smaller Caravaggio’s also present. Just FYI there is a machine you have to feed coins into to keep the lights on. Someone else fed it money while I was there, but I’d gladly keep the lights on to see it all. The Caravaggio’s are in the back left chapel area.

But a step away from the elegant Piazza Navona lies the splendid church of San Luigi dei Francesi. Much to see here but most people come for the three Carravaggio paintings depicting scenes from the life of St Matthew. The Calling of St Matthew (1599-1600), The Martyrdom of St Matthew (1599-1600)and the altarpiece St Matthew and the Angel (1602). As others have said, avoid the busy times and remember to take two euros to turn on the lights. Early morning is probably best as it does get to be something of a scrum later in the day.

Just around the corner of Piazza Navona stands the Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi (Church of St Louis of the French). While the exterior seems like yet another church in Rome, the interior is stunningly gorgeous! The altar is as ornate as many other churches you'd find in Rome and the ceiling is magnificent. Two sculptures at the upper left and right corners of the altar are especially impressive with lifelike gestures and expressions. But the "crown jewel" of this place is the three sets of paintings by Caravaggio about the stories of St Matthew - the Calling, the Inspiration, and the Martyrdom. If you are a classics art lover then you don't want to miss this. I've seen a few Caravaggio exhibits in the US but never these paintings. I imagine they'd never travel to another country so here in Rome is the only chance to see them. The 3 masterpieces are hung in a small side chapel; it's pretty dark and coins are required to turn the light on for a clear viewing. The church did a marvelous job in making their audio guides. Just go to their web site and you can hear narrations about many parts of the church, including the Caravaggio paintings.

For a fan of Caravaggio, this church is a must-see. It houses three major works by him: The Calling Of St Matthew, The Inspiration of St Matthew, and The Martyrdom of St Matthew. Needless to say, the depiction of light in his works is unmatchable. It is however quite hard to get a good look at The Calling and The Martyrdom as they are hanged in a small pocket of the church right in front of each other. And if the light falls wrong, it's hard to study every detail. It is however well worth the stretching of your neck muscles because after all, these are Caravaggios. And there is no entrance fee, only a voluntary donation is encouraged.