One church, many masterpieces

The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (St Louis of the French) is famous for its Caravaggios, but it also holds other treasures and lavish interiors. Here's what you can't miss on your visit.

The Contarelli Chapel: the three Caravaggios

The heart of any visit is the Cappella Contarelli, the last chapel on the left, home to three canvases by Caravaggio dedicated to St Matthew:

  • The Calling of St Matthew: Christ enters and points to Matthew as a shaft of light cuts across the scene. It may be the high point of the cycle, a symbol of the sudden "calling."
  • The Martyrdom of St Matthew: the dramatic, crowded scene of the saint's killing, charged with movement and tension.
  • St Matthew and the Angel (The Inspiration of St Matthew): the aged saint writing the Gospel, guided by an angel.

Together they form one of the summits of painting in any era. We explore them in depth in our guide to the Caravaggios of San Luigi dei Francesi.

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Domenichino's frescoes

Don't miss the Chapel of St Cecilia, decorated with frescoes by Domenichino devoted to the life of the patron saint of music. They are a refined example of seventeenth-century painting and offer an intriguing counterpoint, more classical and luminous, to Caravaggio's drama.

The interiors and the French monuments

As the French national church in Rome, San Luigi dei Francesi safeguards:

  • Monuments and memorial plaques honoring illustrious French figures.
  • Lavish decorations, polychrome marble, and gilding.
  • A rich sixteenth-century facade with statues of the kings of France.

How to plan your visit

You can see it all comfortably in 20-30 minutes:

  1. The Cappella Contarelli with the three Caravaggios (light up the canvases with coins)
  2. The Chapel of St Cecilia with Domenichino's frescoes
  3. The interiors and the French monuments
  4. The facade with the statues of the kings

Frequently asked questions

How many Caravaggios are there at San Luigi dei Francesi? Three, in the Contarelli Chapel: The Calling of St Matthew, The Martyrdom of St Matthew, and St Matthew and the Angel (The Inspiration of St Matthew).

Which is the most famous Caravaggio in the church? The Calling of St Matthew, with its celebrated shaft of light cutting across the scene: one of the artist's best-known images.

What are Domenichino's frescoes? The decorations in the Chapel of St Cecilia, devoted to the saint's life: a refined example of seventeenth-century painting, more classical than Caravaggio.

Why is it called "dei Francesi"? Because it is the national church of the French community in Rome, dedicated to St Louis (King Louis IX of France), with monuments and statues tied to France.

How much time do I need to see everything? About 20-30 minutes, enough for the three Caravaggios, Domenichino's frescoes, and the interiors.

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Article #345 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026