Basilica of Saint-Denis

What to expect

Did you know that the northern suburbs of Paris contain one of the most beautiful of France's historical treasures? The Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis houses the tombs of every French king since Dagobert, and is the most incredible royal necropolis in the world. Within the basilica, you will discover more than 1,500 years of history, featuring the tombs of no less than 43 kings and 32 queens. Their monumental tombs are arranged underneath both the Gothic vaults of the cathedral and the Romanesque vaults of the crypt.

Largely unknown to the general public, the Basilica of Saint-Denis truly deserves to be visited in the same way as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Often overlooked, it is the finest monumental masterpieces of Gothic art.

Opening Hours of the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis

To plan your visit to the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis, please note the specific opening hours throughout the year. Access to the monument is subject to these hours, as well as exceptional closures during religious services and on certain public holidays.

• From April to September - Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:15 PM (last entry at 5:45 PM)
  - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:15 PM (last entry at 5:45 PM)

• From October to March - Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:15 PM (last entry at 4:45 PM)
  - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:15 PM (last entry at 4:45 PM)

Exceptional Closures:

• The basilica is closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.
• There may also be closures during religious services.

It is important to note that the last entry is 30 minutes before the closing time indicated. We recommend that visitors allow sufficient time for their visit to fully explore the historical and cultural richness offered by the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis.

Please note that the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis will be closed on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM (last entry at 1:30 PM) and will reopen at 3:00 PM.

As a reminder, the Royal Necropolis of the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis will have some changes in its opening and closing hours for April 2025:
• Friday, April 11: Closing at 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
• Saturday, April 12: Closing at 2:00 PM (last entry at 1:30 PM)
• Sunday, April 13: Opening at 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, April 16: Closing at 2:30 PM (last entry at 2:00 PM)
• Friday, April 18: Closing at 3:00 PM (last entry at 2:30 PM)
• Saturday, April 19: Opening at 12:30 PM
• Sunday, April 20: Opening at 1:00 PM
• Monday, April 21: Opening at 12:00 PM
• Saturday, April 26: Closing at 3:15 PM (last entry at 2:45 PM)
• Sunday, April 27: Closing at 3:15 PM (last entry at 2:45 PM)

Free Admission

• Under 18 (with family and outside school groups)
• 18-25 years old (EU nationals and regular non-EU residents in the EU)
• Disabled person and their accompanying person
• Job seekers, upon presentation of a certificate less than 6 months old
• Culture Card - ICOM Card
• Teachers with the Education Pass
• For everyone, the first Sunday of each month, from November 1 to March 31, and during Heritage Days (the third weekend of September)

Accessibility for All at the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis

The Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis strives to be a monument accessible to everyone, including visitors with disabilities. Entry is free for these visitors and their accompanying person, upon presentation of a valid document (such as the Mobility and Inclusion Card issued by the CDAPH for French residents or an equivalent document for international visitors). It is important to note that certain cards, such as the Mobility Inclusion card marked "priority" and parking permits, are not eligible for this free admission.

To ensure a rewarding and comfortable experience, the Basilica offers specially designed tour routes to meet individual needs. Whether visitors come alone or in groups, and whether they choose a self-guided or guided tour, personalized services can be arranged to accommodate various types of disabilities.

Additionally, the cathedral is equipped with several devices designed to enhance the quality of the visit. These tools aim to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the monument, integrating visitors into the history and architectural grandeur of this historic site. As a result, each tour becomes a unique experience, allowing all visitors to fully immerse themselves in the majesty of the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis.

The Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis in a Few Words

Saint-Denis is primarily the story of Denis, a Christian martyr decapitated in the 3rd century. According to legend, he walked with his head in his hands from Paris to Saint-Denis, where his tomb is located. The basilica was built around it. Four centuries later, King Dagobert instituted the tradition for kings and queens to be buried next to the Saint. The idea was to be buried as close as possible to the tomb of Saint Denis, ad sanctos, to guarantee eternal life and the choice of paradise.

Over the centuries, the idealized statues of the effigies were replaced by more realistic portraits. True death masks, and during the Renaissance, tombs show the naked bodies of the kings, captured in death. At the end of the 18th century, revolutionaries removed the remains from the tombs and placed them in a mass grave. Today, they rest together in the basilica, including those attributed, rightfully or wrongly, to Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Dauphin Louis XVII.

This monument traces over 1,000 years of French monarchy and certainly deserves to be better known.

Discover more monuments managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN).

Map

Open map

Address

1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur
93200 Saint-Denis

Public transportation

Basilique de Saint-Denis

Basilique de Saint-Denis

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