Saint-Germain-des-Prés was founded in 543 by the bishop of Paris Germain, who convinced King Childebert to construct a monastery to house two of the most important religious items that were brought from Spain by the Merovingian King Childebert I, the tunic of Saint Vincent of Saragossa and a piece of the Holy Cross! In the 8th century, the abbey was renamed to honour its founder. Having undergone many changes and restorations, the oldest surviving part of the church dates back to the end of the 10th century, while the arcaded belfry was constructed sometime around the 12th century. In the Middle Ages the abbey had evolved into a significant theological and cultural centre, while in the Renaissance the monks had gained great power and privileges from the French King and enjoyed a luxurious and scandalous life. During the French Revolution the abbey was sold and transformed into a gunpowder factory. Some decades later, in 1822, it resumed its religious operations and architect Hyppolite Flandrin undertook the restoration. Today it is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture.