Basilica of Saint-Denis

The Basilica of Saint-Denis (French: basilique royale Saint-Denis; now formally known as the basilique cathédrale Saint-Denis) is a Roman Catholic cathedral that started as a medieval abbey church. It is found in the town of Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, France. This building is very important in history and architecture because its choir, finished in 1144, is thought to be the first building to use all the features of Gothic architecture.

The basilica became a special place for people to visit and a resting place for the kings of France, including almost every king from the 10th century until Louis XVIII in the 19th century. Important events happened there, like when Henry IV of France officially changed his religion to Catholic. The queens of France were crowned there, and special items used in coronations were kept there when not in use.

The site began as a place where people were buried long ago. Over time, important holy items, like the relics of Saint Denis of Paris, were placed there. In the 12th century, a leader named Suger added new and creative designs to the building, and later, another builder named Pierre de Montreuil added more beautiful Gothic styles.

Today, the basilica is a cathedral and the home of the Bishop of Saint-Denis. Plans are in place to rebuild its tall spire, which will take several more years to complete.

History

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is a very important church in France. It is located in the town of Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. This church is special because parts of it were built in a style called Gothic architecture for the first time ever.

The site where the basilica stands has a long history. It is believed to be where Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, was buried. Over many years, different parts of the church were built and changed by kings, abbots, and architects. One important person was Abbot Suger, who helped rebuild parts of the church in the 12th century. He made the church brighter with large windows and beautiful designs.

During tough times like wars and revolutions, the basilica was damaged, but it was also repaired and made beautiful again. Today, it remains an important place for history, architecture, and religion. People visit to see its stunning design and learn about the past.

Exterior

The west front of the Basilica of Saint-Denis was finished on 9 June 1140. It is split into three parts, each with its own door, standing for the Holy Trinity. A wall with battle-like edges runs across the front and links the towers.

The front is 34 metres wide and 20 metres deep, with three doors. The middle door is larger than the ones on the sides, matching the size of the main area inside the church. This design was inspired by older church fronts from around the same time. Only one tower still stands; the other was taken down after a big storm in 1846.

Originally, the front had statues of kings and queens, but these were taken away in 1771 and mostly lost during a tough time in France’s history. Some of the statue heads can still be seen in a museum in Paris. The bronze doors today look just like the old ones, showing important events from the story of Christ. There is also a big round window above the middle door, which was one of the first of its kind and influenced many other churches.

The east end of the church, called the chevet, was redone in a Gothic style starting in 1140. It was made taller, and big supports called flying buttresses were added to hold up the walls and let in lots of light through huge windows. The sides of the church also got bigger windows and supports.

The north door, called the Porte de Valois, was built later and has detailed carvings of important figures and scenes from history. The south door shows scenes from the last days of Saint-Denis and his friends before they were harmed.

Interior

The nave and choir of the Basilica of Saint-Denis were rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 13th century. The walls have three levels: large arcades, a narrow passageway called a triforium, and a row of high windows. Slender columns support the roof vaults, and windows fill the triforium and upper walls, letting in plenty of light.

The chevet, built between 1140 and 1144, was one of the first examples of Gothic architecture. It has a double disambulatory divided by columns, with walls filled with windows thanks to exterior supports. This design allows light into the choir. The disambulatory connects to five chapels, each with large windows and shared roof designs. The crypt under the church was originally built around 775 and later rebuilt by Suger, featuring decorated walls and a passage for pilgrims.

The basilica serves as the resting place for many French kings and queens. The crypt holds simple tombs, including those of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Many royal tombs were damaged during the French Revolution but later restored. Tombs from different periods show varying styles, with some depicting the rulers in detailed scenes. The Sacristy, redesigned in 1812, displays historical murals and valuable objects from the cathedral’s collection.

Art and decoration

The Basilica of Saint-Denis has beautiful stained glass windows and sculptures that tell stories from long ago. Some of the oldest stained glass shows scenes from the life of Christ and was made when a man named Abbot Suger was in charge. Sadly, only a few pieces of the original glass remain, and most of what we see today was made in the 1800s when the church was being fixed up after damage.

The church also has many sculptures, including statues of kings and queens of France, as well as scenes from history. The statues on the doors tell stories about important people and events, and they helped shape how later churches were built and decorated.

Choir stalls

The choir stalls are special seats for church leaders, made in the 16th century. They have beautiful carvings, including small seats called misericords where the leaders could rest. These stalls were first placed in a palace and later moved to the Basilica of Saint-Denis in 1805.

Organ

The cathedral has a large organ made in 1843 by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. It was his first big project and started his career. The organ has three parts you play and pedals, and it includes special features like the Barker lever. It was protected as an important historic monument and has been cared for over the years.

Treasury

Main article: Treasury of Saint-Denis

The cathedral once had a rich treasure collection, including important crowns and religious objects gathered by Abbot Suger.

Burials

See also: Category:Burials at the Basilica of Saint-Denis

Kings

Most kings of France are buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Only five kings, including Charlemagne and Louis Philippe I, are buried elsewhere. Some famous kings buried here include Louis IX of France, also known as Saint Louis, and Henry IV, known for bringing peace to France after many years of trouble.

Other royalty and nobility

Many other important people from French history are also buried in the Basilica. This includes members of royal families, such as Marie Antoinette, and important leaders like Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne.

Timeline

Here is a simple timeline of important events in the history of the Basilica of Saint-Denis:

• c. 250 AD – Saint Denis died for his beliefs.
• After 313 – People built the first church.
• 451–459 – Saint Genevieve made the church bigger.
• 626–639 – King Dagobert added more to the church and was buried there.
• 775 – Charlemagne dedicated a new church.
• 1122–1151 – Suger was the leader of the church.
• 1140–1144 – The church was rebuilt with new Gothic style designs.
• 1231 – More parts of the church were rebuilt.
• 1267 – King Louis IX started a special place for royal tombs.
• c. 1320–1324 – Six new chapels were built on one side.
• 1364 – King Charles V asked for his tomb to be placed there.
• 1572 – Work began on a grand tomb for the Valois family.
• 1771 – Some special statues were removed from the front.
• 1792 – The monks held their last service after the French Revolution.
• 1805 – Napoleon ordered the church to be fixed up.
• 1813 – More repairs started under architect François Debret.
• 1845 – The north spire fell down. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc took charge of fixing the church.
• 1862 – The church was named a protected historical site.
• 1966 – It became the main church for the area of Seine-Saint-Denis.
• 2004 – The heart of Louis XVII was placed in the Bourbon chapel.

Abbots

Main article: List of abbots of Saint-Denis

The Basilica of Saint-Denis has had many abbots over the years. These leaders helped take care of the church and its community. For a full list of the people who served as abbots, you can visit the page linked above.