Basilica of Saint-Denis: Paris' Must-See Gothic Masterpiece ⛪✨

Step into the birthplace of Gothic architecture at the Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis, where French art underwent its first revolution a thousand years ago! Here’s why this UNESCO gem deserves a spot on your Paris itinerary: 🏛️ Why It’s Revolutionary World’s 1st Gothic Cathedral (built in 1137) – Breaking from Romanesque style with: ✅ Soaring vaulted ceilings (to "lift souls to heaven") ✅ Stained-glass windows – Flooding the nave with divine light 🌈 ✅ Flying buttresses – The engineering marvel that enabled taller walls 👑 Royal Necropolis Final resting place for 75 French monarchs: 🔸 43 kings (from Dagobert I to Louis XVIII) 🔸 32 queens (including Catherine de' Medici) Tomb Highlights: ✅ Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette – Their remains were moved here post-Revolution ✅ Medieval recumbent statues – Eerily lifelike marble figures ℹ️ Visitor Guide 📍 Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 93200 Saint-Denis 🚇 Metro: Line 13 (Saint-Denis–Porte de Paris) – Stay alert near the station 🎟️ Tickets: Church: Free Royal Tombs: €9.50 (includes audio guide) ⏰ Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-6:15PM | Sun 12PM-6:15PM (closed during funerals) 💡 Pro Tips Guided tours (€6) reveal hidden details like 12th-century crypt graffiti Light shows at dusk magnify the stained-glass glow (check schedules) Dress modestly – Shoulders/knees covered Combine with: Marché de Saint-Denis (Sunday market) for local flavor #ParisChurches #GothicArchitecture #HiddenParis #HistoryLovers