A bit of a hike outside of historic Paris to be sure but for cemetery aficionados and historians alike, this is a must-see. Nearly all the kings and queens of France have been buried in Saint-Denis, going back some fourteen centuries. The bodies of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were removed from their mass grave near the Madeleine (Chapelle Expiatoire) and reinterred here as well.  (Kings were crowned in Rheims, although queens were frequently crowned in Saint-Denis.)

Although the remains of France’s monarchs were largely destroyed during the French Revolution, many of the sarcophagi and statuary has been reserved (or reproduced). And the remains (such as they were) of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette were eventually removed from the mass grave near the Madeleine and placed here as wel (their statues are shown above)l.

Be prepared for an overwhelming amount of French royal history to grapple with – we were fortunate to have our friend Marie B. show us the way around the various crypts. Signage is quite good and most of the “tombs” are carefully marked.

The church is unusually well-lit thanks to the incredible amount of glass and photography is not a problem.

There is a fee to visit the tombs and admission is not allowed during Sunday services.

Directions
Metro line 13 to Saint-Denis Basilique. Take it to the end of the line. Exit the metro and follow signs to the basilica.

Admission
€5.50

Hours
Apr-Sep, Mon-Sat: 10am-6:15pm, Sun noon-6:15pm
Oct-Mar, Mon-Sat 10am-5:15pm, Sun noon-5pm

Map
Pick up a free guide when you pass through the information booth.