Saint-Denis Basilica
There's more than one good reason to visit the Saint-Denis Basilica. This jewel of Gothic art is also home to most of the royal tombs in French history, from Dagobert to Francis I.
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How do I get to the Basilica of Saint Denis?
Address
Rue de la Légion d'Honneur93200 Saint-Denis
The Cathedral of Royal Tombs
The basilica is one of the most important works of Gothic art, and the world's largest museum of funeral sculptures, as well as being a cathedral. Visitors can dive into the history of France as written by saints and kings. The building is remarkable in itself. Construction of the Gothic abbey, with its 28-metre high vaulted ceilings, began in 1231.
The Saint-Denis Basilica shows visitors the last resting places of French kings. You can see the recumbent statues of Charles V and Joanna of Bourbon, the tombs of Louis XII and Anne of Brittany, Francis I and Claude of France, and Henry II and Catherine de' Medici. The cathedral is also home to the heart of Louis XVII. Visitors can also see the tombs of Merovingian king Clovis I, Valois king Charles VI, along with Carolingians and Capetians.
The site is listed as a national monument, and self-guided tours, audio guides, and guided tours are available every day of the week, just 15 minutes by Metro from the centre of Paris.
