Saint Jacques Tower (1523)
Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques, 75004 Paris
Metro station : Hôtel de Ville or Châtelet
The Pascal Perspective: I highly recommend climbing the 300 steps to the top of this solitary Gothic tower; not only will you see the statue of Blaise Pascal commemorating his atmospheric pressure experiments, but you will also enjoy a unique 360-degree view of Paris that makes you feel like you are floating right in the center of the city’s historic heart.
The flamboyantly Gothic Saint Jacques Tower is all that remains of the Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie that was destroyed in 1797.
This sanctuary was the starting point of the pilgrimage of Saint Jacques de Compostela through Tours.
Richly decorated, at the tower’s base sits the statue of Blaise Pascal, a statue of Saint Jacques le Majeur, many gargoyles and 18 statues of saints.
Symbols of the four evangelists (lion, bull, eagle and man) sit at the four corners.
