[1] Germain was born near Autun in what is now France, under Burgundian control 20 years after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, to noble Gallo-Roman parents.

He was known for his hardworking and austere nature; however, it was his generous alms-giving which caused his monks to fear that one day he would give away all the wealth of the abbey, resulting in their rebellion against him.

In his new role, the bishop continued to practice the virtues and austerities of his monastic life, working to diminish the suffering caused by the incessant wars.

He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.

[3] Childebert was succeeded briefly by Clotaire, who divided the royal demesnes among his four sons, with Charibert becoming King of Paris.

As his surviving brothers fought violently over his possessions, the bishop encountered great difficulty trying to establish peace, with little success.

[4] Two stained-glass panels depicting scenes from the life of Germain are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Cloisters Collection in New York.

The translation of his relics to a more prominent and typically Frankish position within the main church, retro altare, was effected in 756 and was prompted by his appearing in a vision to a pious woman.