Saint-Jacques Tower

Saint-Jacques Tower is one of the monuments of Paris. It is located in the IVe arrondissement. This 52-m gothic tower is the remain of the former church of Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie.

Boucherie is the French word for butchery. The church was indeed located near the wholesale market of Paris, les Halles. It was dedicated to Saint James the Great under François I's reign, and welcomed pilgrims of way of St James. One statue of the saint has been installed on the top of the tower during the 19th century. The church, except the tower, was demolished in 1797.

A statue of Blaise Pascal is located at the base of the tower. The scientist indeed made experiments on atmospheric pressure. Nowadays, a meteorological laboratory is also installed at the top of the tower.

The tower inspired Alexandre Dumas his play, La tour Saint-Jacques-la-boucherie, created in 1856

As other donators of the church, Nicolas Flamel was buried under the church floor.