Is it worth the detour

Who it’s for

For lovers of sculpture. What you’ll find in the transept doesn’t exist anywhere else in such quantity: four centuries of faces, emblems and bodies, readable in just fifty metres. For those interested in architecture: Suger’s choir is the birth of Gothic, and you can see it clearly—radiant chapels open, walls replaced by glass. For those who’ve already visited Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle and want to understand their origins: Saint-Denis invents, the Sainte-Chapelle takes the idea to its conclusion, and the combined experience of the Île de la Cité is on its page.

For those travelling with children, too—and it’s less obvious: the transis, those naked, emaciated bodies sculpted beneath the clothed effigies, have an impact on eight-to-twelve-year-olds that few museums achieve. See the page on visiting with children.

Who it’s not for

For those literally seeking “Marie-Antoinette’s tomb.” The tombs were opened in 1793, the remains thrown into two pits, then, in 1817, deposited mixed together in the crypt’s ossuary. What you see are monuments. If you’re looking for the thrill of an intact burial, you’ll be disappointed, and I’d rather tell you here than let you discover it in front of the plaque. Everything is on the 1793 page.

For those with only half a day in Paris who’ve never seen the Louvre: be reasonable, visit the Louvre. Saint-Denis requires a round trip on Line 13 and an hour on site—it’s a visit for a second or third stay, or a long trip. And for those who hate the cold: in January, the wind sweeps through the ambulatory, and there’s no cloakroom to leave your coat—you won’t take it off.

What visitors say

Duncan, from the UK: “Magnificent cathedral, burial place of most French monarchs.” Catherine, from France: “A truly interesting visit with an EXCELLENT guide, René. Very clear in his explanations.” FREMINET, from France: “A well-signposted route, fun touchscreens and magnificent stained glass.” And Régis: “Remarkable guided tour. Skip the audioguides and wait for the free tour.” The same words recur: the guide, the signage, the stained glass. Full reviews are on our reviews page.

What makes the day worthwhile

Saint-Denis alone takes an hour. Saint-Denis plus the market, plus the stadium’s backstage just one tram stop away, makes for a full day and a trip well worth it. The neighbourhood is on its page, the stadium on its own, and the hill where Saint Denis was beheaded on the Montmartre page. The detailed itinerary is on what to see and the time needed on visit duration.

Decide, then book

Reminder: what you’re booking above is entry to the royal necropolis. The nave, however, remains open without a ticket, as in any church in the diocese.

Frequently asked questions