Saint-Denis Basilique 



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The basilica of Saint-Denis was the burial place of St Denis (Dionysius), the patron saint of France, and the French kings. Here the royal insignia and banner, the oriflamme, were preserved and the royal chronicles were kept. Several abbots of Saint-Denis acted as Regents of the kingdom. For 12 centuries almost all the French kings, from Dagobert I (d. 639) to Louis XVIII (d. 1824), were laid to rest in this splendid necropolis.
The building of the choir and west front of Saint-Denis marked the beginning of Gothic architecture, providing a model which was followed by Chartres, Senlis and Meaux cathedrals. The Gothic style of central and northern Europe, given expression in architecture, painting and sculpture, was born in France,
The building of the choir and west front of Saint-Denis marked the beginning of Gothic architecture, providing a model which was followed by Chartres, Senlis and Meaux cathedrals. The Gothic style of central and northern Europe, given expression in architecture, painting and sculpture, was born in France,
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Hobbies & Activities category: Architecture - Gothic; Christian sites; Religious treasury
Saint-Denis Basilique Highlights
Exterior
The Early Gothic west front of Saint-Denis displays for the first time the characteristic features of Gothic architecture - clarity of structure (with some 19th century additions in a reproduction
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Interior
The interior of Saint-Denis (108m/355ft long, almost 30m/100ft high) is of impressive effect, with its soaring columns and 37 windows, each 10m/33ft high. It is divided into the narthex, the nave,
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Royal Tombs
With only a few exceptions, all the kings and queens of France and their children, together with some particularly faithful servants of the Crown, are buried in Saint-Denis. Their tombs were
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Soccer World Cup
The 16th World Cup of Soccer was hosted in France 1998. There will be 32 teams competing in 64 games in 10 cities.| October 1 to March 31 | ||||||||
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | |
| Closed | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | |
| April 1 to September 30 | ||||||||
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | |
| Closed | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | |
| Always closed on: | ||||||||
| New Year's Day (January 1) May Day / Labor Day (May 1) All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1) Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11) Christmas - Christian (December 25) | ||||||||
Guide tour reserves 21 days to one month in advance.
Documentation available in foreign languages.
Documentation available in foreign languages.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
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