Paris et les Convulsionnaires : 'Les Convulsionnaires

was the naine bestowed upon a certain class of Jansenists in France who were under the influence of an épidémie nervous disease, caused by religious excitement, and taking the form of convulsive spasms and other extravagances, supposed to be miraculously cured by a sacred influence arising from the tomb of a pious Jansenist, the deacon François de Paris, whose remains were buried behind the Church of Saint- Médard. Pilgrimages to the tomb of Paris were forbidden by Louis XV. in 1732, which prohibition gave rise to the saying —

De par le Roi, défense à Dieu

De faire miracle en ce lieu.