Free visit of the Chapel of Humanity
The Chapel of Humanity is the last remaining positivist temple in Europe. Built by Brazilian positivists in 1903, its plans were designed by the French philosopher Auguste Comte, founder of positivism and illustrious inhabitant of the 6th district (10, rue Monsieur le Prince) who wanted to build a «great temple of humanity». The land was bought in 1642 by the architect François Mansart who built his house there and it was his home until his death in 1666. His family continued to own it until 1759. In 1842, the building was elevated by the jeweler Antoine Bret and then passed from owners to owners. The building was acquired by the Positivist Church of Brazil in 1903 to house a place of worship in homage to the muse of Auguste Comte, Clotilde de Vaux, who lived on the third floor of the building in the middle of the 19th century. The church bought the whole building for this purpose. The façade on the street and the first floor were modified at the beginning of the 20th century by the architect Gustave Goy. He added a bust of Auguste Comte and the positivist motto "Love for principle and order for base, progress for purpose". The building has been listed as a historic monument since 1982.