Visiting Saint-Denis with children
What works
- The gisants are characters : you recognise them, you count them
- Dagobert’s tomb reads like a stone comic strip
- La Fabrique de la Flèche shows stonemasons in action
- One hour is enough : the self-guided tour is short
- Free entry for under-18s
Good to know
- The transis may frighten younger children : warn them
- The 1 h 30 guided tour is long for a child
- No cloakroom : large bags are a problem
- The crypt is dark and cool
- The ambulatory is freezing in winter
What really grabs you
Children enter the necropolis as if it were a room full of reclining statues, and they start looking: who is this king, why does that one have a dog at his feet, why does another have a sword. The tomb of Dagobert, sculpted in the 13th century, tells a story in images, panel by panel: it’s the best starting point. Bertrand du Guesclin, the non-royal constable buried at the king’s feet, still intrigues. See the gisants, one by one.
The transis: to mention before, not after
Beneath the effigy of Louis XII and Anne of Brittany dressed in their finery, the sculptors depicted their naked, emaciated bodies as they would appear after death. This is the detail adults remember and the one that might unsettle a five- or six-year-old. Explain it before arriving in front of it: from the age of eight, most children find it fascinating rather than frightening. With a very young child, simply walk around this tomb.
Logistics
Free entry for under-18s and for 18-25-year-olds who are nationals of the European Union or regular residents in France. There is no cloakroom: travel light. Photography is allowed without flash, which keeps them occupied. Allow one hour, not two, and save the guided tour for another time if the child is under ten. See categories of free admission and how much time to allow.
To finish the day
The spire construction site, open from Tuesday to Sunday, shows concrete actions and holds children’s attention better than a church. And just one tram stop away, the behind-the-scenes tour of the Stade de France completely changes the atmosphere: locker rooms, players’ tunnel, pitch. See La Fabrique de la Flèche and the Stade de France.
Give them a mission: count the dogs and lions sculpted at the feet of the gisants. They’ll cross the transept without even noticing.
Frequently asked questions
Do children pay admission ?
No, admission to the necropolis is free for those under 18 years old. Other cases are listed on what is free.
Can the transis scare children ?
They may impress the youngest : it is best to explain before arriving in front of them. See the recumbent figures.
How much time should you allow with children ?
One hour is enough for a self-guided visit ; the guided tour lasts about 1 h 30. See visit duration.