The best time to visit
What works
- 10 a.m. on weekdays: empty ambulatory and eastern light
- Stay for the free guided tour in French at 11 a.m.
- Mondays, when the necropolis opens while many museums are closed
- January and February, the quietest months of the year
- Late afternoon, when the groups have left
Good to know
- Sunday mornings: the monument closes during services
- Thursday mornings: school groups occupy the transept
- La Fabrique de la Flèche is closed on Mondays
- Saturday afternoons, with the queue on the square
- 1 January, 1 May and 25 December: closed
Opening hours, season by season
From April to September, Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. From October to March, Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sundays start at noon, which is why so many people arrive too early. Details are on the opening hours page.
The Trap of Services
The monument closes during celebrations. This is the number one reason for missed visits, on Sunday mornings and public holidays. You can still enter the nave, which remains open, but the royal necropolis is not accessible during services. This dual nature of the site is explained on basilica or cathedral.
The Time Slot I Recommend to Everyone
Arrive at opening time on weekdays, walk around the ambulatory alone for three-quarters of an hour, then join the guided tour at 11 a.m. It lasts about 1 h 30, it is in French, it is included with the ticket, and one visitor wrote: « Skip the audio guides and wait for the free tour. » Check the schedule on the day. See guided tours.
The Season
January and February are the quietest months, and the ambulatory is freezing: bring a coat, the church is not heated like a museum. In summer, the crowds remain far below those of the major Parisian monuments: this is one of the real advantages of Saint-Denis. See is it worth the detour.
On Mondays, the royal necropolis is open, but La Fabrique de la Flèche is closed. If the construction site interests you, choose another day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quietest day?
A weekday morning, except Thursday, at opening at 10 a.m. Full schedules are on the opening hours page.
Can you visit on Sunday morning?
The necropolis opens at 12 p.m. on Sundays and closes during services. See whether you need to book.
Is the basilica open on Mondays?
Yes, the royal necropolis is; it is La Fabrique de la Flèche that closes on that day. See the spire reconstruction site.