86 



RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE. 



^n ^r 



SCALE OFl 

 SCALE OF4. 



83. PARIS : Sx EUSTACHE 

 (BEGUN 1532). PLAN. 



HALF CROSS- 

 SECTION. 



Scale as Plan. 



the Le Mercier family is unsupported 

 by evidence, and the greatness and 

 consistency of the design are such as 

 to make it practically certain that it 

 was the work of an architect of genius 

 and experience. That he worked out 

 the drawings with considerable com 

 pleteness is proved by the fact that 

 the portions built in the seventeenth 

 century bear hardly any trace of con- 

 temporary influence and are almost 

 indistinguishable from the earlier ones. 

 Again, the character of the design is in 

 such close agreement with that of the 

 Loire chateaux that the architect must 

 have been familiar with them. Fur- 

 ther, in view of Francis I.'s known 

 interest in all architectural matters, it 

 is probable that he would have a word 

 to say in the rebuilding of the most 

 fashionable church in his capital, and, 

 when it is considered that in the year 

 before building operations commenced 

 he had sent for his architect from Blois 

 to design the Hotel de Ville and other 

 works in Paris, the conclusion seems 

 almost irresistible that Dominic of 

 Cortona was the architect of St 

 Eustache. He had now been thirty- 

 six years in France and was thoroughly 

 conversant with French methods. It is not therefore 

 surprising that, while every part is translated into 

 Italian form language, the church should remain in 

 all essentials such a one as French worshippers had 

 for centuries been accustomed to. 



Plan. In dimensions St Eustache is equal to all 

 but the largest of mediaeval cathedrals. In richness 

 and delicacy of decoration and in impressiveness and 

 devotional effect it is hardly surpassed by any of them. 

 Except in the total length which is less, and the height 

 of the aisles which is greater, the measurements of 

 St Eustache are nearly the same as those of Notre 

 Dame. The internal length (inclusive of the Lady 

 Chapel) is 290 ft., the width of the transepts 140 ft., 



