Cardinal Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici commissioned Jean de Chenevières in 1518, whose design was an octagonal, centrally planned church. The sack of Rome in 1527 halted the work. Catherine de' Medici's intervention helped finish it, and Cardinal François de Joyeuse consecrated the church on October 8, 1589. Giacomo della Porta designed the church and facade, and Domenico Fontana built it.
The article calls the style Baroque. Della Porta's facade is a largely independent decorative piece, entirely different from Chenevières' plan, with statues of Charlemagne, Saint Louis, Saint Clothilde and Saint Jeanne of Valois. The church is 167 feet (51 m) long and 115 feet (35 m) wide. Antoine Dérizet restored the interior from 1749 to 1756.
The Contarelli Chapel holds Caravaggio's cycle on Saint Matthew from 1599 to 1600: The Calling, The Inspiration and The Martyrdom. The article gives no opening hours.
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