To the north of Paris, at Saint-Denis, this grandiose basilica cathedral is inextricably bound up with the history of France.
Built on the foundations of a Gallo-Roman cemetery and a 5th-century chapel dedicated to the cult of Saint Denis, first bishop of Paris and martyr, the Basilica of Saint-Denis has continued to expand over the centuries. This jewel of Gothic architecture and royal necropolis houses more than 70 recumbent medieval and Renaissance tombs, constituting the most important ensemble of funerary sculptures from the 13th to the 16th century. There are today 43 kings, 32 queens, 63 princes and princesses and 10 great figures of State buried in the Basilica and its crypt.
The most famous are : Clovis I, Dagobert, Pépin le Bref, François I, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. The Basilica invites you to discover the history of France through recumbent statues of the Kings and Queens of France, sublime stained-glass windows and magnificent architecture.
The visit is free for all children under 18 as well as 18-25 year olds from countries within the European Union. The free ticket must be picked up at the ticket office at the entrance.
Documentation for a visit is available in French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese
Audio guides are available on-site in 5 languages (extra charge): French, English, German, Spanish and Italian.
During masses, the cathedral may on rare occasions close for several hours.
As part of the Vigipirate program security controls are put in place at the entrance of Parisian museums and monuments. In case of a large attendance, these controls can create a waiting time which cannot be skipped.
Admission to the Basilica is free during the European Heritage Days on 21 and 22 September 2024 and on the first Sundays of the month from November to March inclusive.
April to September: Monday to Saturday 10am - 6.15pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6.15pm
October to March: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5.15pm
Sunday: 12pm - 5.15pm
On September 21, 2023, the Basilica of Saint Denis will open its doors at 2 p.m
Last admission to the monument is 30 minutes before closing time.
