On the gates of Paris (France), the basilique Cathédrale Saint-Denis stands like an open e book on over a thousand years of historical past. This masterpiece of Gothic artwork is not only a spiritual monument: it’s additionally the necropolis of the kings and queens of France. At the moment, the basilica is writing a brand new chapter in its historical past with the bold venture to reconstruct its tower and spire, dismantled within the mid-Nineteenth century.
A brand new, never-before-seen tour route permits you to rediscover the historical past of this landmark of French historical past, whereas assembly the craftsmen who for five years will make this spire develop within the sky over Saint-Denis. Observe the information!
Article produced in collaboration with the Centre des monuments nationaux
The historical past of the Cathedral Basilica Saint-Denis
The historical past of Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica begins lengthy earlier than the Center Ages. Based on custom, a shrine was constructed over the tomb of Saint Denis, the primary bishop of Paris. It quickly grew to become a serious pilgrimage website.
Below the reign of Dagobert I, within the VIIᵉ century, a primary abbey was constructed to accommodate the saint’s relics, nevertheless it was within the XIIᵉ century, underneath the impetus of Abbot Suger, that Saint-Denis took off monumentally. A visionary who was near King Louis VI, Suger had the church rebuilt in a completely new type: the Gothic. Because of main architectural improvements – buttresses, cross vaults, luminous stained glass home windows – the basilica grew to become a mannequin for the nice cathedrals of France, from Chartres to Reims.
The necropolis of the kings of France
The cathedral basilica of Saint-Denis is most well-known for housing the royal necropolis. As you stroll the crypt’s aisles, you’re actually strolling among the many biggest figures in French historical past :
- 40 kings and 26 queens relaxation there, from the Merovingians to the Capetians, in addition to a dozen servants of the monarchy.
- You’ll additionally discover the graves of Dagobert, Pepin le Bref, François I, Catherine de Médicis and even Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, whose stays had been transferred throughout the Restoration.
This distinctive assortment of practically 70 sculpted tombs constitutes the biggest group of funerary sculptures in Europe, giving the Basilica the nickname “cimetière aux Rois” (cemetery of kings). It’s a poignant journey by the dynasties which have formed France.
Through the French Revolution
In 1793, following the French Revolution, the our bodies had been exhumed from the tombs, then manufactured from lead, to recuperate the steel and make bullets. The stays had been piled up in mass graves, earlier than being reburied within the crypt underneath Louis XVIII, in 1817, in an ossuary. The our bodies are now not positioned underneath the recumbent beds…
Observe the Spire: an out-of-the-ordinary development website
For hundreds of years, the basilica’s facade was framed by two towers, the north tower of which was topped by a powerful stone spire whose peak peaked at nearly 90 meters, constructed within the late twelfth century.
Sadly, a tragic meteorological episode sealed its destiny. In 1837, weakened by lightning, the spire was dismantled after which reassembled by architect François Debret, however in 1846, a violent hurricane led Debret to dismantle it once more. A dismantling that will be continued by Viollet-le-Duc. Luckily, each ingredient is meticulously inventoried and documented, and François Debret’s detailed plans are preciously preserved. Even then, there have been plans to reassemble it at some point.
At the moment, 180 years later, an bold venture led by the affiliation Suivez la flèche goals to reconstruct the vanished spire identically. This distinctive worksite began in on March 14, 2025 will allow rediscovery of medieval stone-cutting and meeting strategies.
An simply accessible tour simply exterior Paris
From central Paris it solely takes about twenty minutes to get to Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica. Hop on the line 13 in direction of Saint-Denis-Université, get off on the Basilique de St-Denis station and also you’ll emerge on the foot of the basilica !
La Fabrique de la flèche : an immersion within the development website
The affiliation Suivez la flèche (observe the spire) is opening up the development website to guests all through the work, enriching the tour route of Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica. After discovering the royal necropolis, enter la Fabrique de la flèche (spire manufacturing unit), an immersive expertise to plunge into the center of Saint-Denis historical past and uncover the craftsmen’s expertise.
The furnished packing containers will let you meet stonecutters, blacksmiths… and chat with them.
A everlasting exhibition, accessible to all, then explores the odyssey of the spire and the workings of medieval development websites, enhanced by documentary movies and interactive options.
The tour ends with a 360° projection space and a digital actuality expertise that affords a complete immersion within the historical past and development of the spire !
An expertise for the entire household
This tour has additionally been designed with youngsters in thoughts, with an academic space, inventive workshops and enjoyable actions.
Simply accessible, this monument is a must-visit to discover a spot steeped in historical past and see a heritage jewel reborn, stone by stone.
Sensible info
Tackle:
1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur
93200 Saint-Denis
Hours:
The necropolis and the Spire Manufacturing facility are closed throughout spiritual providers.
The Fabrique de la flèche is closed on Mondays
April to September:
Monday – Saturday: 10am to six:45pm (final entry at 5:45pm)
Sunday: 12h to 18h45 (final entry at 17h45)
October to March
Monday – Saturday: 10h to 17h45 (final entry at 16h45)
Sunday: 12h to 17h45 (final entry at 16h45)
Article produced in collaboration with the Centre des monuments nationaux
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