The Basilica of Saint Denis is located in a northern suburb of Paris and is the burial site of most French monarchs dating back to the 7th century. It was founded as the abbey church of the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Denis by Dagobert I. Unlike Westminster Abbey, Saint Denis was not used for coronations but rather served as a royal necropolis. The basilica contains many ornate tombs of French royalty including Louis XII and Anne of Brittany as well as Henry II and Catherine de Medici.

1. BasiliqueSaint DeniHelga design

2. The church was founded by Dagobert I in the 7th century

5. Dagobert’ s tomb

7. The Basilica of Saint Denis (French: Basilique de Saint-Denis) is the famous burial site of the French monarchs, comparable to Westminster Abbey in England. Almost all the kings of France were buried in the Basilica, but unlike Westminster Abbey it was not used for coronations (a role devoted to the Cathedral of Reims). The basilica is located in Saint Denis, now a northern suburb of ParisInspired by Janet Blog “Confronting Mortality at St. Denis”http://janettravels.wordpress.com

11. St. Denis is the patron saint of Paris who was martyred by the Romans at Montmartre in about 250 AD. He picked up his own head and walked the many miles to his current resting place, the spot where the church and later cathedral of St. Denis now stands

12. St.DeniatNotreDame

13. This small tomb is for Jean I, the posthumous heir of King Louis X who was born and ‘reigned’ for 4 days in 1316 before his death. Note the royal lion at his feet.

14. the Dauphin Louis-Joseph who died at age 8, was the second son, the titular Louis XVII who died after the revolution, are interred in the crypt. This is the monument containing the heart of Louis XVII.

15. Gregorianmusic

19. Marie Antoinette

23. Saint Denis Tombs of Louis XII AndAnne of Brittany

24. Here is Louis XII and his wife Anne de Bretagne, ornately wigged and robed, in prayer atop their monument.

25. “But glance down and we see Louis in all his mortality, naked, without his wig, humbled”

26. Tomb of Henry II and Catherine de MediciTomb of Henry II and Catherine de Medici

27. Much of the art and gold work at the Cathedral was stolen or melted down but the beauty of the basilica and many of the magnificent tombs remain.

28. Rich details in marble