{"id":370,"date":"2017-03-19T17:08:23","date_gmt":"2017-03-19T17:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paristopten.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/19\/basilique-saint-denis\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T13:05:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T13:05:30","slug":"basilique-saint-denis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristopten.com\/fr\/basilique-saint-denis\/","title":{"rendered":"Basilique Saint-Denis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are many cathedrals in Paris<\/a>, and each is unique in its way. The Notre Dame Cathedral, for example, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in the city and Basilique Saint-Denis is another renowned cathedral known for its beautiful stained glass windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Basilique
Image by Zairon<\/a> used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you walk through the doors of Basilique Saint-Denis or St Denis Basilica, your eyes are met with an astonishing sight. The walls are covered in intricate designs, the ceiling is painted a deep blue, and the light from the stained glass windows casts a warm glow on everything around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can feel the history of this place as soon as you enter, and you can’t help but wonder about all of the people who have come here over the years. The Basilique is one of the oldest churches in France, and it has been a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists for centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to see why this place is so unique – there’s something truly magical about it. If you’re ever in Paris, be sure to stop at Basilique Saint-Denis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related:<\/strong> Mus\u00e9e du 11 Conti \u2013 Monnaie de Paris<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basilique Saint-Denis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Basilica
“image<\/a>” by Ninara<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Basilica of St. Denis<\/a> (Basilique Saint-Denis) or the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis is a large medieval abbey church in Saint-Denis, now a northern suburb of Paris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building is of exceptional importance historically and architecturally as its choir. It is considered to be the masterpiece of French Gothic architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The place is recorded as a Gallo-Roman graveyard during late Roman times. Underneath the cathedral’s crypt are the archeological remains. The people buried there seem to have had a strong faith in life after death, indicated by the abundance of grave goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Queen Berta of the Franks had a small chapel erected on the cemetery site, which Bishop Nicetius consecrated. In the 7th century, the Merovingian king Dagobert I rebuilt the church as a royal palace chapel to house relics of Saint-Denis, a famous patron saint at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basilica became a pilgrimage site and was greatly expanded and embellished over the following centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related<\/strong>: Rue de Rivoli-Le Marais<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Basilique Saint-Denis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Basilique
“image<\/a>” by Ninara<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basilique Saint-Denis is a church located in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is notable as the first Gothic cathedral<\/a> and has been called “the birthplace of the Gothic style.” The Basilique was built on the site of a 6th-century church that Queen Berta of the Franks erected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 7th century, King Dagobert I rebuilt the church as a royal palace chapel to house relics of Saint-Denis, a popular patron saint at that time. The Basilica became a pilgrimage site and was greatly expanded and embellished over the following centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1140, Abbot Suger decided to rebuild the church in the new Gothic style. The choir was completed in 1144, making it the first Gothic church. Pope Eugene III consecrated the Basilica in 1163. In the 13th century, Saint Louis, King of France, rebuilt the nave and added a large rose window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 15th century, the spire was added. During the French Revolution, the church was looted and vandalized. Many of the glass windows were destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the year 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte issued an order that called for the structure to be renovated. After that, Louis XVIII restored the abbey to its former function as a cemetery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work on the restoration carried on for the entirety of the 19th century. It was completed, in particular, by architects Francois Debret and Eug\u00e8ne Viollet-le-Duc beginning in 1846.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the close of the eighteenth century, the revolutionaries exhumed the royal bodies, removed their remains from their graves, and interred them in a communal cemetery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, they are all interred together in the Basilica at this time. It includes the remains that have been variously identified as belonging to Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the dauphin Louis XVII.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, it is one of the largest churches in France and is home to many tombs of French royalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related<\/strong>: Avenue des Champs Elys\u00e9es<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to expect at Basilique Saint-Denis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do Paris’ northern neighborhoods contain an important treasure? Saint-Denis Cathedral contains buried tombs of countless French monarchs and is one of the world’s most incredible royal palaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basilique Saint-Denis Royal Abbey is a beautiful sight to see. It’s located in a suburb of Paris and is known for its architecture and historical significance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basilique was founded in the 7th century and has been rebuilt and restored many times. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is worth visiting if you’re in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can explore the past 1,600 years within its walls, a collection that includes tombs of 43 kings and 32 queens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their imposing tombs are placed under Gothic and Romanesque vaults of the church, respectively. The Basilica of St. Denis is a relatively unknown landmark and should be viewed just like Notre Dame Cathedral<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related:<\/strong> Maison des Chaumes-Paris<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artwork and Architecture inside the Basilique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Basilica
“image<\/a>” by Ninara<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The interior of the Basilica is very striking, with its Gothic ribbed vaulting and flying buttresses. The nave is flanked by double columns, which rise to Gothic arches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several important works of art inside the Basilica, including a 12th-century tympanum depicting the Last Judgement and a 13th-century, rose window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crypt is also of great interest, as it houses the over seventy royal tombs of many French kings and queens and other important figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to visiting the Basilica of St. Denis, there are several other interesting things to see and do in Saint-Denis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Museum of French History (Mus\u00e9e de l’Histoire de France) is located in the former abbey of Saint-Denis and is well worth a visit.. The Royal Basilica of Saint-Denis is also home to the tombs of many French kings and queens and other important figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related:<\/strong> Fontaine de la Croix du Trahoir<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crypts and Mausoleums inside the Basilique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Royal
“image<\/a>” by sottolestelle<\/a> is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The archaeological crypt is the final resting place for many French kings and queens and other important figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most notable tomb is King Dagobert I, who was the first king to be buried in the Basilica. Other notable tombs include Saint Louis, King of France, and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the high middle-aged, a monastery has remained a source of connection between its destiny and royal life. It gradually became an important burying spot in the royal kingdom of the faith of Saint-Denis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes the Merovingians and Dagobert, the Carolinians, and P\u00e9pin the Short, right through the Bourbons with the prayer sculptures of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette and the Royal Necropolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related<\/strong>: Carnavalet Museum: Things to See & Do<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Basilique Saint-Denis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis is located in the northern suburbs of Paris. The best way to get there is by public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RER B train line runs from Paris to Saint-Denis, taking around 20 minutes. Several buses run from Paris to Saint-Denis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related: <\/strong>Amiral-Fondary<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips on Visting the Basilique Saint-Denis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Saint
“image<\/a>” by Ninara<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking to see some impressive Gothic architecture, the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis is worth visiting. Construction on the Basilica began in 1137. It continued for more than two centuries, so there’s plenty to see inside and out. Here are a few tips for making the most of your visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n