At the gates of Paris (France), the basilique Cathédrale Saint-Denis stands like an open book on over a thousand years of history. This masterpiece of Gothic art is not just a religious monument: it’s also the necropolis of the kings and queens of France. Today, the basilica is writing a new chapter in its history with the ambitious project to reconstruct its tower and spire, dismantled in the mid-19th century.
A new, never-before-seen tour route lets you rediscover the history of this landmark of French history, while meeting the craftsmen who for 5 years will make this spire grow in the sky over Saint-Denis. Follow the guide!
Article produced in collaboration with the Centre des monuments nationaux
Summary
The history of the Cathedral Basilica Saint-Denis
The history of Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica begins long before the Middle Ages. According to tradition, a shrine was built over the tomb of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris. It soon became a major pilgrimage site.
Under the reign of Dagobert I, in the VIIᵉ century, a first abbey was built to house the saint’s relics, but it was in the XIIᵉ century, under the impetus of Abbot Suger, that Saint-Denis took off monumentally. A visionary who was close to King Louis VI, Suger had the church rebuilt in an entirely new style: the Gothic. Thanks to major architectural innovations – buttresses, cross vaults, luminous stained glass windows – the basilica became a model for the great cathedrals of France, from Chartres to Reims.
The necropolis of the kings of France
The cathedral basilica of Saint-Denis is most famous for housing the royal necropolis. As you walk the crypt’s aisles, you’re literally walking among the greatest figures in French history :
- 40 kings and 26 queens rest there, from the Merovingians to the Capetians, as well as a dozen servants of the monarchy.
- You’ll also find the graves of Dagobert, Pepin le Bref, François I, Catherine de Médicis and even Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, whose remains were transferred during the Restoration.
This unique collection of nearly 70 sculpted tombs constitutes the largest group of funerary sculptures in Europe, giving the Basilica the nickname “cimetière aux Rois” (cemetery of kings). It’s a poignant journey through the dynasties that have shaped France.
During the French Revolution
In 1793, following the French Revolution, the bodies were exhumed from the tombs, then made of lead, to recover the metal and make bullets. The remains were piled up in mass graves, before being reburied in the crypt under Louis XVIII, in 1817, in an ossuary. The bodies are no longer located under the recumbent beds…
Follow the Spire: an out-of-the-ordinary construction site
For centuries, the basilica’s facade was framed by two towers, the north tower of which was topped by an impressive stone spire whose peak peaked at almost 90 meters, built in the late 12th century.
Unfortunately, a tragic meteorological episode sealed its fate. In 1837, weakened by lightning, the spire was dismantled and then reassembled by architect François Debret, but in 1846, a violent hurricane led Debret to dismantle it again. A dismantling that would be continued by Viollet-le-Duc. Fortunately, every element is meticulously inventoried and documented, and François Debret’s detailed plans are preciously preserved. Even then, there were plans to reassemble it one day.
Today, 180 years later, an ambitious project led by the association Suivez la flèche aims to reconstruct the vanished spire identically. This exceptional worksite started in on March 14, 2025 will enable rediscovery of medieval stone-cutting and assembly techniques.
An easily accessible tour just outside Paris
From central Paris it only takes about twenty minutes to get to Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica. Hop on the line 13 towards Saint-Denis-Université, get off at the Basilique de St-Denis station and you’ll emerge at the foot of the basilica !
La Fabrique de la flèche : an immersion in the construction site
The association Suivez la flèche (follow the spire) is opening up the construction site to visitors for the duration of the work, enriching the tour route of Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica. After discovering the royal necropolis, enter la Fabrique de la flèche (spire factory), an immersive experience to plunge into the heart of Saint-Denis history and discover the craftsmen’s skills.
The furnished boxes allow you to meet stonecutters, blacksmiths… and chat with them.
A permanent exhibition, accessible to all, then explores the odyssey of the spire and the workings of medieval construction sites, enhanced by documentary films and interactive features.
The tour ends with a 360° projection area and a virtual reality experience that offers a total immersion in the history and construction of the spire !
An experience for the whole family
This tour has also been designed with children in mind, with an educational area, creative workshops and fun activities.
Easily accessible, this monument is a must-visit to explore a place steeped in history and see a heritage jewel reborn, stone by stone.
Practical information
Address:
1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur
93200 Saint-Denis
Hours:
The necropolis and the Spire Factory are closed during religious services.
The Fabrique de la flèche is closed on Mondays
April to September:
Monday – Saturday: 10am to 6:45pm (last access at 5:45pm)
Sunday: 12h to 18h45 (last access at 17h45)
October to March
Monday – Saturday: 10h to 17h45 (last access at 16h45)
Sunday: 12h to 17h45 (last access at 16h45)
Getting there:
Métro line 13 station Basilique de St-Denis
Official website:
https://www.saint-denis-basilique.fr/
https://www.suivezlafleche.com/
Prices:
17 € for the necropolis tour + Fabrique de la flèche
11 € on Mondays (necropolis only)
Free for under-26s and recipients of minimum social benefits.
Article produced in collaboration with the Centre des monuments nationaux
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