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Church of St. Louis of the FrenchvsBasilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Both are recommended by professional reviewers. Overall, Church of St. Louis of the French ranks slightly higher than Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Church of St. Louis of the French is ranked #5 in Rome with recommendations from 9 publications including Afar Magazine, Time Out and Frommer's.
Church of St. Louis of the French
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Time Out
Fodor's
Afar Magazine
Let's Go
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Atlas Obscura
U.S. News & World Report
Via Santa Giovanna d'Arco 5, 00186 Rome
From $0/night
Frommer's "This has been the national church of France in Rome since 1589, and a stone salamander (the symbol of the Renaissance French monarch François I) is subtly carved into its facade." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Church to Rome’s French community since 1589, this art-rich baroque bonanza boasts no less than three canvases by Caravaggio." Full review
Time Out "Completed in 1589, San Luigi (St Louis) is the church of Rome's French community." Full review
Fodor's "A pilgrimage spot for art lovers everywhere... adorned with three stunningly dramatic works by Caravaggio... now recognized to be among the world's greatest paintings." Full review
Afar Magazine "This church was built centuries ago as France's key liaison to the Vatican and the surrounding buildings still host French-affilicated religious and culture associations." Full review
Let's Go "With marble walls, gold decor, and three of Caravaggio’s most famous pieces—The Calling of Saint Matthew, Saint Matthew and the Angel, and The Crucifixion." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The official French church in Rome, San Luigi dei Francesi was built in 1518 for the French community and named after King Louis IX." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Rome's French church was constructed between 1518 and 1589, thanks to the patronage of Henri II, Henri III and Catherine de Médicis." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Installed in an act of one-upsmanship, the annual sundial in this church is also a symbolic victory for the Gregorian calendar. " Full review
U.S. News & World Report8.0
"If you're a fan of Caravaggio, you'll want to visit the San Luigi dei Francesi. Inside this church in Piazza Navona are three of the baroque artist's works, including the "The Calling of St. Matthew"" Full review
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Fodor's Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Time Out Frommer's Let's Go Michelin Guide Afar Magazine
Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00185 Rome
From $0/night
Fodor's "Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the oldest churches in Rome, built around 440 by Pope Sixtus III." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"One of Rome's four patriarchal basilicas, Santa Maria was built on the summit of the Esquiline Hill in the 5th century." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Originally built in the fifth century, Santa Maria Maggiore contains one of the best preserved Byzantine interiors in Rome." Full review
Time Out "Behind this blowsy Baroque façade is one of the most striking basilica-form churches in Rome." Full review
Frommer's "This great church, one of Rome's four major basilicas, was built by Pope Liberius in A.D. 358 and was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III from 432 to 440." Full review
Let's Go "Located just minutes away from Termini Station, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is an enormous basilica dedicated to everyone’s favorite virgin (no, not you)." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"Founded by Pope Sixtus III (432-440), this is one of Rome's four great basilicas, and has been remodelled many times down the centuries." Full review
Afar Magazine "Contains almost a millennia's worth of Italian architecture, from an 18th-century baroque exterior to the 5th-century mosaics lining its interior arch." Full review
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Be sure to see the relics of what is believed to be pieces of Jesus Christ's manger from the day he was born.
