Saint-Jacques-Saint-Christophe de la Villette

The bell tower of Saint-Jacques-Saint-Christophe rises above the neighborhood with a distinct, heavy stone profile that mimics the style of the thirteenth century. It was built in the eighteen forties to serve the expanding population of workers at the nearby slaughterhouses. Architect Paul-Eugene Lequeux designed it to anchor the parish, using a layout that reflects the transition from classical forms to the industrial era. During the construction, laborers unearthed remains from a former cemetery, a discovery that delayed the final consecration for years.