[2025 Saint-Denis Attraction] Travel Guide for Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis (Updated Jul)

#Overseas Travel Strategy Fly from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) 🚖✈️ 📍 Places to visit: 🏰 Sacré-Coeur Basilica ⛪ Saint-Denis Basilica 🌟 Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe 🖼️ Louvre Museum 🗼 Eiffel Tower 🎢 Disneyland Paris ⸻ Day 1: Arrival in Paris & City Sightseeing 🏙️ ✈️ Arrival at CDG → Travel to the city 🚆 • Take RER B or Roissybus to the city (approx. 50 mins to 1 hr) • Check in at hotel & leave luggage 🏰 Stroll around Sacré-Coeur Basilica & Montmartre • Enjoy a panoramic view of Paris from this beautiful white cathedral! ✨ • Take a break at a cute cafe in Montmartre ☕ • The "Je t'aime" wall is also nearby 💙 🌟 Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe • Stroll along the world-famous boulevard 🚶♂️ • Enjoy the evening view of Paris from the Arc de Triomphe observation deck (elevator available) 🌅 🍽️ Dinner: French at a bistro near the Champs-Élysées 🇫🇷 ⸻ Day 2: A day touring art and history 🎨⛪ 🖼️ Louvre Museum (morning) • Check out must-see works such as the "Mona Lisa" and "Venus de Milo" ✔️ • Make a reservation in advance for smooth entry! 🎟️ ⛪ Saint-Denis Basilica (afternoon) • A magnificent cathedral where the kings of France rest ⚜️ • Beautiful stained glass ✨ 🗼 Eiffel Tower & Seine River Cruise (evening-night) • Watch the night view from the Eiffel Tower observation deck or have a picnic at Champ de Mars Park 🌃 • Spend a romantic time on a night cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens 🚢💙 ⸻ Day 3: Dream Disneyland Paris 🎠🎆 🎢 Depart early in the morning! • About 40 minutes by RER A (Marne-la-Vallée station) • Enter the park as soon as it opens! (We recommend purchasing tickets in advance 🎟️) ✨ Recommended attractions • Disneyland Park 🎠 • Space Mountain • Peter Pan's Adventure • Phantom Manor • Walt Disney Studios Park 🎬 • Ratatouille: The Adventure 🐭 • Avengers Assemble 🎥 🛍️ Shopping in the park & ​​night show • Get your hands on Disney merchandise! 🎁 • Don't miss the night show "Disney Illuminations"✨ 🚆 Return: Take the RER A line to Paris ⸻ Day 4: Last stroll around Paris before returning home ✈️ ☕ Morning cafe & souvenir purchases • Taste croissants at a local boulangerie🥐 • Get souvenirs at the stylish supermarket "Monoprix"🎁 🚖 Return to CDG airport & return home • Take the RER B line (about 50 minutes) or the airport shuttle to the airport✈️ ⸻ 💡 Travel tips & advice 💡 ✔️ Advance reservations are required for museums and Disney! 🎟️ ✔️ Use the Navigo Decouvert (unlimited ride IC card) to get around🚆 ✔️ Don't forget to take precautions against pickpockets at tourist spots! 🛑 ⸻ 🌍✨ This makes your 3-night, 4-day trip to Paris perfect! Have a great trip💙🇫🇷

✨Basilique de Saint-Denis The Basilica of Saint-Denis, located in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, France, is a treasure trove of history and art. This cathedral is known as the mausoleum of the French royal family and the resting place of many kings and queens, but it is also known worldwide as the birthplace of Gothic architecture. Its majestic architecture and rich historical background attract visitors. 📜 Historical background 1. Patron Saint Saint-Denis The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Denis, the first bishop of France in the 3rd century. He was martyred for his efforts in spreading Christianity and his remains were buried here. This is the origin of Saint-Denis as a holy place. 2. The birth of Gothic architecture (12th century) In 1144, under the direction of Abbot Suger, the Basilica of Saint-Denis was rebuilt as the world's first Gothic building. It is characterized by a bold design that utilizes flying beams and stained glass, and had a great influence on European architecture thereafter. 3. Mausoleum of the French Kings Since the 10th century, the French kings have been buried in this cathedral, and eventually the tombs of more than 70 royals are laid to rest here. While it is a symbol of the monarchy, it was also destroyed and plundered during the revolution, but was restored in the 19th century. 🏛️ Architectural Features 1. Symbolic Elements of Gothic • Soaring ceilings and spacious spaces. • Intricately patterned stained glass skillfully captures light and is reminiscent of heaven. • Flying beams and arch structures support the building while expressing elegance. 2. Royal Tombs • Detailed carved sarcophagi and tombstones tell the stories of the kings. • The tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are also particularly famous. 🗓️ Visit Information Opening Hours • April to September: 10:00 to 18:15 • October to March: 10:00 to 17:15 • Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Prices • General: €9.50 • Discounted (students, 65+, etc.): €7.50 • Free for those under 18 and those under 25 in the EU (ID required). Access • About 10km from central Paris. • Take the RER B line to Saint-Denis Basilique station, then walk for about 5 minutes. • Buses and trams are also available. 🌟 Attractions and Recommended Points 1. Stained Glass Must-see medieval artworks that vividly depict stories from the Bible. When the light shines through, it creates a fantastic atmosphere. 2. Royal Cemetery Tour You can get a deeper feel for French history by touring the tombs of Louis XIV, the Capetian dynasty, and the Valois dynasty. 3. Suger's Candlestick The gold-plated candlestick donated by Abo Suger is an item that symbolizes the fusion of Gothic architecture and art. 4. Guided Tour If you want to learn more about the background of the architecture and history, we recommend an official guided tour. 🧀 Local Specialties and How to Enjoy Them 1. Local Market Gourmet In the markets around Saint-Denis, you can enjoy fresh French bread, cheese, and wine. 2. Multicultural Town of Saint-Denis Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, is an area where multicultural cultures blend together, and you can also enjoy Lebanese and African cuisine. 3. Football Stadium Near the Saint-Denis Basilica, you can also enjoy watching sports at the Stade de France, one of the largest stadiums in France! 🌍Finally Saint-Denis Basilica is a special place where French history, architecture, and art are concentrated. It can be accessed from Paris on a day trip, so be sure to add it to your travel plans. Why not feel the deep history of France in this majestic space where past kings rest? #OverseasTravelRecord #France

Church Introduction The Basilica of Saint-Denis is located in the Saint-Denis district of the Paris suburbs and is one of the birthplaces of French Gothic architecture. The basilica was built in the 12th century to commemorate Saint Denis, the patron saint of France. The church's architecture is magnificent, and its stained glass windows are stunning. Its Gothic style is highly influential, making it a paradise for architecture enthusiasts. History and Cultural Background This is the traditional burial place of the French royal family, and almost all French kings have been buried here since the 12th century. You can see the tombs of historical figures such as Charles V, Louis XVI, and Marie Antoinette in the underground crypt. These exquisitely carved sarcophagi allow you to experience the history of the French royal family. Must-Visit Spots 1. Stained Glass Windows Nave These stained glass windows showcase the essence of French medieval religious art. The sunlight streaming through the windows onto the marble floor creates a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors and shadows. 2. King's Gallery Inside the Church Here, you will find statues and tombs of French kings from different eras. The intricate carvings on each king's sarcophagus tell the story of French history, making it the perfect place for photography and experiencing history. 3. Saint-Denis Underground Tomb Crypt The resting place of the French royal family exudes a sense of sanctity and historical weight. It is recommended to walk slowly and carefully admire the exquisite carvings on each tomb.

A historical tour of the city of Paris should begin with the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Paris was founded during the Roman era, and as the empire declined, Christianity took its place, becoming the symbol of European civilization. Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, is said to have been martyred by decapitation. He carried his own head from Montmartre to the current site of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, where the original church was established in his name. The earliest church became the traditional burial site for the kings of the Franks, with Clovis I, the first Frankish king to convert to Christianity, buried here. During the French Revolution, the remains were desecrated, and today a plastic plate with a holographic image of the remains is placed in the crypt for people to understand that history. The church was rebuilt on its original foundations in the 12th century and became the family tomb of French monarchs throughout the ages. Political figures who marked important moments in French history are mostly buried here, including Henry II and Catherine de Medici, the couple of Francis I, the couple of Louis XIV, and the family of Louis XVI, who was retrieved by Louis XVIII from the mass graves of Paris and also buried in the underground crypt. The large tomb sculptures, including those of Francis I, feature nude effigies of the kings and queens, embodying the spirit of the Renaissance to the fullest. A rose placed on the coffin lid of Marie Antoinette represents the eternal sympathy of the Parisians for this woman. The heart of her child, Louis XVII, who died in prison, is also preserved in the crypt. Dynastic history is the main thread of a nation's history, which endows the Basilica of Saint-Denis with a profound sense of historical presence. When you recount the lives of those buried in the tombs, you are actually witnessing the written history of a nation. In the 12th century, after a long period of division, the French political scene saw an opportunity to strengthen central authority. Under the pressure of foreign enemies, local lords came together, and royal power had a centralized pretext. Suger, the abbot of Saint-Denis, seized this opportunity, attempting to consolidate royal and ecclesiastical power through the construction of monuments and cultural edifices. As the client, he demanded the construction of a church that would spread holy light, tall and grand, directly sparking an architectural revolution. This is a striking example of social reality influencing art. The Basilica of Saint-Denis became the first church in the world to use stained glass windows extensively and the first to combine ribbed groin vaults with pointed arches to solve the problem of vault support. In other words, Saint-Denis is the progenitor of French Gothic cathedrals, and at that time, the term 'Gothic' had not yet been invented. The stone used in the church has a gray hue, and when the sunlight is just right, it does not feel dark at all. Instead, the colorful light and shadows cast dreamy patches of light on the stone, which are even more striking. This truly fulfills the client's requirement for 'holy light.' Embedded in the architecture is the entire history of the French dynasty, but the building itself is also a development and reflection of French cultural history. The building and people are fused together, becoming a tangible historical experience. When we say that architecture is an epic and that stones can speak, this is probably what we mean.