Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ tɔma dakɛ̃]) is a Roman Catholic church located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, place Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, between the rue du Bac and the boulevard Saint-Germain.
The church is named for Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and priest, and influential philosopher and theologian in the 13th century.
During the 19th century, the City of Paris endowed the church with many fine examples of French religious art.
In 1632 the friars established a small training centre with a chapel in the Faubourg Saint-Germain neighbourhood on the left bank in Paris, named for the founder of the order, Saint Dominic.
Work began under architect Pierre Bullet in 1683, with funding provided by Cardinal Richelieu and other donors.
[4] The tympanum of the triangular pediment over the entrance is decorated with a relief sculpture called "La Religion", made in 1769 by François-Charles Butteux (1732-1788).
It depicts an allegorical figure of Religion, supported by Truth, holding the tablets symbolising law.
The central element in the choir is a miniature classical temple over the altar, with a series of rounded arches behind it, decorated with murals.
It was built in 1722 and is decorated to commemorate the return of the original Crown of Thorns from the Crucifixion to France, carried by two Dominican friars in 1239.
In the painting, a vision of Christ, accompanied by Moses and Elijah, appears in the heavens to the apostles Peter, James and John.