Saint Denis

Saint Denis is the patron saint of France.

Saint Denis was the first bishop of Paris. He supposedly went there between 250 and 270. He was executed in 272. According to legend, he was beheaded. After his beheading, he walked away, his head under his arms, along what is today the Rue des Martyrs in Paris. After about 6 km (3.7 mi), he gave his head to a pious woman, who had a basilica erected in the spot.