Who owns the Basilique de Saint-Denis?

One building, two uses

It’s the key to everything that surprises visitors. The building is a national monument: its historical part—the choir, the ambulatory, the transept with the gisants, and the crypt—is visited with a ticket. It’s also an active church: the nave opens freely, like any neighbourhood church, and the monument closes during services. See what is free and the opening times.

What the Centre des monuments nationaux does

It ensures conservation, visitor reception, ticketing, guided tours, and the spire construction site. Its lecturers lead the free guided tours in French included with the ticket, from Monday to Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., for around 1 hour 30. Almost no one knows about this, and it’s the best part of the entire offer. See guided tours.

What the diocese does

It celebrates. Since 1966, the church has been the cathedral of the diocese of Saint-Denis, and worship takes place there regularly. Services take precedence over visits: this is the main reason for ruined Sunday mornings, when people arrive with tickets in hand in front of a door that won’t open until after Mass. The difference between the two titles is explained on basilica or cathedral.

And the town of Saint-Denis?

It is neither the owner nor the manager. It thrives around the site, with its market at place Jean-Jaurès and its covered market, and the Stade de France just one tram stop away. The confusion comes from the name: the town and the basilica share that of the same saint. What’s around is described on the neighbourhood.

Frequently asked questions