VISITING ROME : Church of San Luigi dei Francesi

Church of San Luigi dei Francesi

The Church of St. Louis of the French (Italian: San Luigi dei Francesi, French:Saint Louis des Français, Latin: S. Ludovici Francorum de Urbe) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and titular church in Rome, not far from Piazza Navona. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to St. Denis the Areopagite and St. Louis IX, king of France. The church was designed by Giacomo della Porta and built by Domenico Fontana between 1518 and 1589, and completed through the personal intervention of Catherine de' Medici, who donated to it some property in the area. It is the national church in Rome of France.^[2][3] The current Cardinal-Priest of the Titulus S. Ludovici Francorum de Urbe is André Vingt-Trois.

“One of the must-see (and free) sights in Rome.”

Even if you know nothing about painting or about Saint Matthew, the large paintings in this church will astonish you. The church is located about two minutes from Piazza Navona and, in the other direction, about two minutes from the Pantheon. The church has posted good descriptions of the paintings in multiple languages. This is a working church, and it is a good idea to observe the dress code that requires that shoulders and knees be covered. You might get away with shorts or bare shoulders, but you might not.

“Incredible Caravaggio”

I was mesmerized by Caravaggio's Conversion of St. Matthew. Viewing this masterpiece is free and you can get a little booklet that explains the details of the painting.

Church of San Luigi dei Francesi

Via Santa Giovanna d'Arco 5, 00186 Rome, Italy

39 6 688271

37 visitor photos

Ranked #2 of 529 attractions in Rome

442 Reviews

Type: Religious Sites, Churches/ Cathedrals

Owner description: The famous painter Caravaggio (1573-1610) was commissioned to paint for this church, where in one of its chapels is his realistic naturalism in three scenes of the life of St. Matthew.

Posted in: churches and cathedrals, ROME