| Page Views: 7,137 Last Visit to Saint-Denis: January, 2006 | Saint-Denis - The Royal Necropolis by Diana75 - last update: Mar 18, 2006 |
| Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne tombs |
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| Western facade of Saint-Denis Basilica |
|  | 42 kings, 32 queens, 63 princes and princesses, 10 great men of France rest in Saint-Denis in more than 70 Renaissance monumental tombs.
Located at 10 km from the center of Paris, the suburb of Saint-Denis is home to the royal necropolis of Saint Denis Basilica but also of France's national stadium, Stade de France, built for the 1998 Football World Cup.
But Saint-Denis has a long history.
Around the year 250 Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, was martyred and buried in the cemetery of Catolacus, a village located on this place.
His tomb soon became an important pilgrimage place and in 475 on Sainte Genevieve order a small chapel was built on Denis's tomb.
Dagobert I was the one that transformed the small chapel into a royal monastery and starting from him almost every French king is buried in the Basilica. |
Saint Denis Saint Denis, also known as Denise, Dionysius, or Dennis is the bishop of Paris and the patron saint of France.
According to old legends, it seems that Denis was sent from Italy to convert the people in the region where Paris is located now.
He was executed by beheading on Montmartre, who took this name from the martyrdom of Denis (in French Montmartre means mountain of the martyr).
It seems that, after his head was chopped off, St Denis picked it up and walked several miles, all the time preaching a sermon and stopped on the site where Saint Denis Basilica stands today.
In all the representations of today St. Denis is depicted as headless, holding his head in his hands.
His feast day is October 9. | | | Henri II and Catherine de Medicis tombs |
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Diana75's Saint-Denis Travel Tips
 Comments for Diana75 about Saint-Denis | | | | |
Nemorino Mon Jul 16, 2007 09:35 UTC
I think people really were a lot shorter in those days. Strange that they have such big feet, though. (Glad you took the tramway T-1 in Saint-Denis.) | matcrazy1 Tue Feb 6, 2007 09:58 UTC
Very good and informative tips. A must see for every history lover. I have to visit it next time in Paris. Thanks for sharing. | roamer61 Mon Dec 18, 2006 16:17 UTC
Very interesting, especially for those with a deep interest in history such as myself. | Azri_Azmi Sun Nov 12, 2006 08:06 UTC
Wow, lots of tombs here no doubt but the uniqueness of its was the scructures and designs of each tomb. A great exposure especially to myself and others away from Saint Denis & France. Take care Diana. |
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