Church of St. Louis of the French
Attraction
4.8 (6268 reviews)
France's baroque national church in Rome, known for the Caravaggio paintings in its chapel.
Piazza di S. Luigi de' Francesi, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
+39 06 688271
Did You Know?
National Church
The Church of St. Louis of the French is the national church in Rome of France. It was designed to serve the French community in Rome.
Home to Masterpieces
The church is most famous for housing three stunning paintings by Caravaggio in the Contarelli Chapel: 'The Calling of St Matthew', 'The Inspiration of Saint Matthew', and 'The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew'.
Construction Start
Construction of the church began in 1518, although it wasn't completed until 1589, taking over 70 years to finish.
Dome Designer
The dome of the church, a prominent feature of its architecture, was designed by Domenico Fontana, who also worked on St. Peter's Basilica.
Highlights from Reviews
• Caravaggio paintings
The church houses three famous paintings by Caravaggio, a major draw for art enthusiasts.
• free entry
Entrance to the church is free, making it accessible to all visitors.
• ornate interior
The church's interior is richly decorated and ornate, showcasing Baroque artistry.