Basilica of Saint-Denis

About this place

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is a Roman Catholic cathedral that originated as a medieval abbey church. It is located in the commune of Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris, France. The building is of singular importance historically and architecturally because its choir, completed in 1144, is widely considered the first structure to employ all of the elements of Gothic architecture. The basilica became a place of pilgrimage and a necropolis containing the tombs of the kings of France, including nearly every king from the 10th century to Louis XVIII in the 19th century. Henry IV of France came to Saint-Denis to renounce his Protestant faith formally and become a Catholic. As you explore, compare the building itself with its decoration and later additions. Differences in materials, forms and imagery can reveal successive periods of patronage, making the visit a way to understand how religious places evolved over time.