DOLZHENKO ROMAN

Highlight of our trip. So much history in this church, neglected by most Paris tourists but worth the visit. The burial church of the French kings and some predecessors like Merovingians and Karolingians. First Gothic church in the world, which was quite the architectural revolution. If you want to see the evolution of Gothic churches next go to Noyen, Laon, Soissons, Beauvais and Amiens.

I visited the Basilique Cathédrale Saint-Denis on a Tuesday morning and it was incredibly serene. Walking through the cathedral felt very peaceful, with beautiful light filtering through the stained glass and plenty of space to take everything in slowly. It’s important to be mindful that this is still an active place of worship, so I’d recommend moving quietly and being sensitive to those who are praying. One highlight was the video display, which gives a really informative overview of the history of the cathedral and its significance — definitely worth taking the time to watch before exploring further. The architecture and details are stunning. I always love visiting cathedrals, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to experience this one. It’s a wonderful stop if you enjoy history, architecture, or simply a calm, reflective atmosphere.

I visited the Basilique-Cathédrale de Saint-Denis ladt year and really enjoyed it. The building has an amazing past. What stands today mostly comes from the 12th–13th centuries, when the choir completed in 1144 became the first structure to use all the key elements of Gothic architecture. But the site goes back much further. It began as a shrine built over the tomb of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, and over time it became a major royal abbey and the burial place of many French kings and queens. After centuries of changes and damage, it was finally restored and recognised again as a cathedral. Inside, the first thing you notice is the light. The tall stained-glass windows fill the space with colour, and the high arches make everything feel open. The royal necropolis is the highlight for many visitors. It holds more than seventy tombs of French kings and queens, including famous ones such as Dagobert I, Henri II and Catherine de’ Medici, Louis XII and Anne of Brittany, and memorials for Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. The stone sculptures are detailed and give you a clear sense of how people looked and dressed in different centuries. The main altar stands above the area traditionally linked to the tomb of Saint Denis. Around the altar you see the oldest part of the church, the crypt, where the early history of the basilica began. The choir behind the altar is one of the first examples of true Gothic architecture, and walking around it you notice how the columns and windows were designed to bring in as much light as possible. There is also plenty to look at as you move through the chapels, including the carved choir stalls, the rose window, and quiet corners with older stonework. I enjoyed taking my time in the ambulatory, where the stained glass changes colour as you walk. Entry is normally €17 from Tuesday to Sunday and €11 on Mondays. Many visitors can enter for free, including under-18s, people aged 18–25 from the EU or who live in the EU, and disabled vis