Basilica of Saint-Denis

Front of Saint Denis Basilica (2020)

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is a basilica near Paris, France. It is famous for its architecture and as the burial place for many Kings of France. It is in the suburb of Saint Denis, which is in the north of Paris. Since 1966, it is the cathedral of the diocese of Saint-Denis. It is located in the Greater Paris area, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Paris.

The Basilica is named after Saint Denis. Saint Denis is the patron saint of France. He was also the first Bishop of Paris.

The Basilica was an Early Gothic building. In 1136 the Abbot Suger (1081 - 1155) began replacing the building, bit by bit, beginning with the west front and then with a new east end. The east end is said to be the first building in the Gothic style. It was not completed until the 13th century.

The current organ of the basilica is the first organ built by Aristide Cavaille-Coll. With 4200 pipes, it contains a lot of innovations, opening the romantic area. The French organist Pierre Pincemaille, titular between 1987 and 2018, set up lots of recitals and recorded 8 CDs with this instrument.

People who are buried in Saint Denis Basilica

Basilica Of Saint-Denis Media

Charles I of Naples (or Anjou)
Tomb of Charles Martel
Henry I in background, Robert II, John I d. 1316 and Jeanne d. 1349
At top are Effigies on the tomb of Henry II and Catherine de' Medici, carved by Germain Pilon
Drawing of tomb of Henry II and his wife, showing the Effigies at top and the double tomb below
Tombs of Henry II of France and his wife Catherine de' Medici
Tomb of Leon V of Armenia
Tomb of Philip IV
(From left clockwise) Gisants Bertrand du Guesclin, Charles VI, Isabeau of Bavaria, Louis de Sancerre, Charles V, Jeanne de Bourbon
Dagobert I visiting the construction site of the Abbey of St. Denis (painted 1473)

Other websites

L'Internaute Magazine: Diaporama (in French)