A stumble away from Saint Michel with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral there is a small inconspicuous park named Square René-Viviani adjacent to Eglise Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.
Upon entering the gates, I walked into the middle of a wedding celebration, so I discretely headed to my destination. After further research, I've discovered that the Eglise Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre is famous for being one of the oldest religious buildings in Paris. The Gothic style church was built in 1170 over the ruins of a church from the 6th century and today it functions as a Greek Melkite Church. Sacre Bleu! I may just have to make my way back to check out the inside.
I was on the hunt for Paris' oldest living resident! He's been here for 411 years and he's believed to be an American … an observer of the revolution, many wars, and torrid love affairs! A special robinia pseudoacacia (that's a mouth full!) otherwise known as a locust tree measured to be 15 meters high with a circumference of 3.50 meters. It's believed that the tree originally came from America and was planted in 1601 by the botanist Jean Robin (hence the fancy name). The tree continues to survive and flourish each year but do to his old age is supported by two concrete crutches.
The next time you want to read a good book, have a picnic, or a romantic rendez-vous head over to Paris' most faithful lover and resident!
Across the way ... Notre Dame!
