Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the quarter in Paris, where the 11th century Benedictine monastery once stood. Only a church remained, now rebuilt and significantly altered in appearance. During the First Republic the monastery was demolished, and a square near the church was used as an execution spot for all of the Benedictine monks. Thanks to the surviving nave the church has the status of the oldest church structure in Paris; there lies the famous mathematician René Descartes.
Interactive map of districts of Paris
