Saint Genevieve is said to have been born in the fifth century at Nanterre, near present-day Paris. According to tradition, as a young girl she met Saint Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, who encouraged her to consecrate herself to God, and she went on to live as a consecrated virgin given to prayer, fasting and charity.

Most of what we have comes from a later life of the saint, so little is known for certain. Tradition says that when the Huns approached Paris she urged the people not to flee but to pray, and the city was spared. Another story tells of her bringing food into the besieged city. She remains beloved as the patron saint of Paris.