Basilica of San Luigi dei Francesi

The national church of the French community in Rome, this late Renaissance basilica draws steady crowds to its Contarelli Chapel, where three Caravaggio paintings depict the calling, inspiration, and martyrdom of Saint Matthew. Completed at the end of the sixteenth century, the works transformed how sacred scenes were painted through their raking light and unidealised figures. The rest of the interior is richly decorated with coloured marble, gilding, and frescoes by Domenichino.