I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in Religious travelers but here goes: any suggestions for where my brother can attend Easter services (Catholic) in Paris? Notre Dame is an obvious choice, but perhaps someone has a more personal suggestion. We'll be in the 16th arr. but obviously can hop on the Metro.

St Joseph ( in English) in the 8th or else Basilica de Sacre Coeur @ Montmartre Paris18i�me (French)

I can't help you at all for the quality of the Easter service from a liturgical or theological standpoint. But, as an art historian, having studied in Paris, I can give you some pointers as to what the nicest churches are. So if the service gets boring, at least you'll have something to look at. Perhaps the Parisian members of the forum can chime in.

St. Etienne du Mont, next to the Pantheon is more of a Baroque church which is rare in Paris. It's choir (part of the building behind the transept) is at an angle which, according to legend, replicates the head of Jesus on the cross. next to the Sorbonne. There will be a lot of Academics.

St. Denis, the first Gothic cathedral. Need I say more? Huge and gonna be cramped but definitely worth the RER ride.

St. Eustache, close to Les Halles. Also huge and interesting architecture mix, plus a great organ.

Eglise de Blancs-Manteaux, Marais quarter. Wonderful organ and very intimate. This is the intellectual's choice.

St. Sulpice and St. Germain. The latter with Romanesque foundations and the former with classicist architecture and great wall paintings (Delacroix). The very chic choice.

St. Paul, also Marais quarter. Beautiful cupola and two paintings by Delacroix.

Sainte-Chapelle, Ile de la Cite. No idea if they actually have an Easter service but the chapel is absolutely spectacular. If you don't go there for the service, go for one of the many classical concerts that take place almost every day.

Most spectacle in terms of procession and bishop presiding will be had in the cathedrals, of course.

Till

Thanks for the ideas, I'll pass them on.

We really liked the St Louis en l'Ile Church. While I would suspect that all churches will be crowded on Easter, the lesser known ones may be easier to get into.

http://gofrance.about.com/od/paris/a/ilesaintlouis.htm

Definately. The big ones are almost impossible - and you most likely will be on the square at Notre Dame if you attempt to go there.

The only reason to go to Saint Josephs is for a mass in English and the excellent Irish priests