The Basilica of Saint-Denis is a gothic style church located in the centre of the city of Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, 5 kilometres north of Paris. It was originally an abbey, but today it is the Cathedral of the diocese of Saint-Denis. The old royal abbey was named ‘Basilica’ in the Merovingian era. The church stands on the site of a Gallo-Roman cemetery, burial place of saint Denis martyred around 250. The transept of the abbey, of exceptional magnitude, was intended to accommodate the royal tombs: it is the necropolis of the kings of France. It is surrounded by a garden that is part of the classification of historic monuments. In our days the church is divided into three spaces, the first two are open to the public: the nave and the aisles which serve the function of Church and where the Catholic ceremonies take place. the transept, the choir and ambulatory, and the crypt where there is a museum where the tombs of the Kings and Queens of France even as many of their servants are. You can find the tombs of Louis XII, François 1st, Anne of Brittany, Henri II, Catherine de Medici, Claude of France among others; the archaeological crypt that contains the oldest tombs of the monument, with the Merovingian and the burial place supposed of Saint-Denis and the lapidary in the Orangery and in the garden (East of the bedside) where many partscould be highlighted as part of an exhibition space.
Tips
You can visit the church by taking the metro (line 13) and get down to the ‘Basilica of St-Denis’ station. It is located 400 metres from the exit of the station.
If you want to visit the Museum, call or see on internet in advance because it is closed when there are ceremonies.
You can take a day to visit the church and ethen njoy walking in the surrounding area. There are many shops and restaurants and nice cafés to take a break. If time permits, you can enjoy beautiful terraces too.
Look at the calendar of activities of the church because there are several events that will take place throughout the year.
