Saint Germain de Charonne is a charming village church in the 20th arrondissement. With its impressive bell tower, it stands prominently looking down the streets of Bagnolet and Saint-Blaise. It is at the heart of what used to be the village of Charonne, which became part of the city of Paris in 1860. Despite this the church and Charonne retains its village charm and authenticity. It is one of the only churches in Paris that still has an adjoining cemetery. The first church on this site dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, with numerous reconstructions and repairs since then, with the latest in 2009, to address instability problems. It has been featured in numerous French movies and even in a comic strip!
