Revolutionary Inscription: “The French People Recognize the Supreme Being and the Soul’s Immortality”
On May 7, 1794, a decree confirmed that: “the French people recognize the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.” The motto was inscribed on the façade of the Saint-Sulpice church, transformed into a temple of Reason. It still exists today. Contrary to popular belief, the Revolution did not attack religion: it tried to create a new one, which would be more universal than Catholicism.
Inside the church, inscriptions at the base of the meridian (the “gnomon”) are scratched out for some reason. In the crypt, the funerary plaque for Rosalie de Montmorency de Neuville (circa 1669-1690) is as well. This is what is called revolutionary “iconoclasm”: in 1793, any signs of feudalism or religion that were too ostentatious were erased, even inside ancient churches. As for the tomb of Louise-Elisabeth d’Orléans (1709-1742), daughter of the regent Philippe d’Orléans and queen consort of Spain (1724), it was pillaged.
Saint-Sulpice Church, Pro-Monarchy Inscriptions Scratched out on the Base of the Gnomon, an Astronomical Instrument
Saint-Sulpice Church, Funerary Plaque for Rosalie de Montmorency de Neuville (circa 1669-1690), Destroyed during the French Revolution.
Saint-Sulpice Church, Tomb of Louise Elisabeth d’Orléans (1709-1742), Pillaged during the French Revolution.
