Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis
“…I did go Basilica of St Denis- (the people at the hotel were horrified- said it is a bad area) I have to state that it was a complete surprise, and I looked at my watch and saw that I had spent 3 hours there- would definitely put it on the list of things to see — especially if anyone buys into the DaVinci code nonsense- the Monrovian kings are all buried there- and the Arab market was very interesting- of course one must be careful, but you have to be just as careful in the Louvre ….” — Christine (I concur — it is worth the visit! The tourist office is on the plaza and can answer all of your questions)
“As early as the 5th century AD, Francs aristocrats were buried in the basilica, Dagobert was the first sovereign to be buried there in 639. Over the centuries the Saint-Denis basilica became the “King’s Cemetery”. In the 13th century the necropolis character of Saint-Denis was reinforced by the introduction of sculpted tombs, their magnificent style was to evolve over the centuries. Today, 43 kings, 32 queens and 10 great servants of the kingdom of France repose in the basilica.” from the Centre des Monuments Nationaux http://saint-denis.monuments-nationaux.fr/
Basilica of Saint-Denis http://www.monuments-nationaux.fr/
1, rue de la Légion d’Honneur
93200 Saint-Denis
Metro: line 13, Basilique de Saint-Denis (recommended)
Phone : 33 / (0)1 48 09 83 54
Map and practical information http://saint-denis.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/bdd/page/infospratiques
Open:
April 1 to September 30 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6:15 p.m.
October 1 to March 31 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5:15 p.m.
The ticket office closes 1/2 hour before closing.
Closed January 1, May 1, December 25 and during certain liturgical events (call 01 48 09 83 54 for more information)
Guided visits available in English, French, Spanish and Italian Lasts 1 ½ hours; reservations suggested Contact: 01 44 54 19 30 (Visites-Conférences) or Office de Tourisme de Saint-Denis Plaine Commune 01 55 87 08 70 Audio guide : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian (1 ¼ hours) Cost: 4 euros; 6 euros for a couple ; 2 euros for groups of 20 or more Film shown subtitled in English, Spanish and sign language