Saint Vincent de Paul church, which is also known as ‘Eglise des Réformés‘, was build from 1855-1886 to a place, where previously used to be a monastery for the Augustinians religious order.
The Augustinians monastery had been there since the 16th century, but was left empty following the French Revolution years of 1789–1799.
PHOTO: St Vincent de Paul church facade, as seen from the Monument aux Mobilisés…from which most of the city’s demonstrations depart towards Vieux Port harbor.
PHOTO: In front of the church, you can find the pictured sculpture of Joan of Arc by Louis Botinelly, from 1943. Other famous works by Botinelly in the city include Marseille cathedral sculptures “Four Evengelists”, “Le Dresseur d’Oursons” next to the Vieux Port Saint Laurent church, and “Les Colonies d’Asie” & “Les Colonies d’Afrique” at Gare Saint Charles train station (on bottom of the grand stairway).
PHOTO: A view up to the church’s dramatic twin-towers, as seen from the base of the Joan of Arc statue.
The church replaced the Augustinians monastery to meet the religious needs of the rapidly growing Marseillaise congregation, which was originally founded (in 1625) by saint Vincent de Paul.
St Vincent de Paul church was build in a Gothic Revival style, from plans by architect François Reybaud.
The most significant details externally in the building include its twin-towers, which rise to the height of 70 meters (230 feet).
For example, you can find glass paintings (portraying events from the bible and Provencal saints) by Édouard Didron, whose works can also be seen at Paris‘ Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois and Saint-Séverin churches.