La basilique cathedrale de Saint-Denis - Paris
Paris has everything for a photographer. So much to see and shoot.
One of my favourite locations there is the Cathedral of Saint Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris.
St Denis is very close to a Metro station but well away from the major tourist areas.
It is a real gem of great significance and named for the patron saint of France.
The first church on the site was built around 475.
Rebuilding in 1144 created the world's first gothic cathedral and a departure from the previous architectural styles.
It is also the burial place of most of the kings and queens of France going back to Clovis I (481 – 511) and the opportunity to walk among their memorials in this setting is very special.
The world's first gothic cathedral
Robert d'Artois 1256-1317
Marguerite d'Artois 1285-1311 & Louis, comte d'Evreux 1276-1319
Even tourists are likely to recognise this couple
Detail of the tomb of Dagobert from 639
St Denis has some spectacular stained glass windows
Finely carved choir stalls
Some of the later kings have elaborate memorials. This is for Louis XII from 1515
Saint Denis was sent to Lutetia (Paris) by Pope Fabian where he destroyed statues of Roman gods and emperors and was arrested and beheaded at Montmarte. According to legend he then stood up, took his head and walked 6 kilometers to the village of Catoliacus (Saint Denis) where he was buried and the cathedral now stands. St Denis is often depicted carrying his head as shown here in the facade of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
I found St Denis on my last trip to Paris and spent half a day there admiring this medieval treasure.
More of my pictures from here are at http://abovephotos.smugmug.com/Travel/France-20142/St-Denis/
One of my favourite locations there is the Cathedral of Saint Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris.
St Denis is very close to a Metro station but well away from the major tourist areas.
It is a real gem of great significance and named for the patron saint of France.
The first church on the site was built around 475.
Rebuilding in 1144 created the world's first gothic cathedral and a departure from the previous architectural styles.
It is also the burial place of most of the kings and queens of France going back to Clovis I (481 – 511) and the opportunity to walk among their memorials in this setting is very special.
The world's first gothic cathedral
Robert d'Artois 1256-1317
Marguerite d'Artois 1285-1311 & Louis, comte d'Evreux 1276-1319
Even tourists are likely to recognise this couple
Detail of the tomb of Dagobert from 639
St Denis has some spectacular stained glass windows
Finely carved choir stalls
Some of the later kings have elaborate memorials. This is for Louis XII from 1515
Saint Denis was sent to Lutetia (Paris) by Pope Fabian where he destroyed statues of Roman gods and emperors and was arrested and beheaded at Montmarte. According to legend he then stood up, took his head and walked 6 kilometers to the village of Catoliacus (Saint Denis) where he was buried and the cathedral now stands. St Denis is often depicted carrying his head as shown here in the facade of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
I found St Denis on my last trip to Paris and spent half a day there admiring this medieval treasure.
More of my pictures from here are at http://abovephotos.smugmug.com/Travel/France-20142/St-Denis/
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Comments
AndyW
Flickr has a group called Catholic Cathedrals you may to like to visit or perhaps post to.
See https://www.flickr.com/groups/21041011@N00/
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil