The Basilica of Saint-Denis and its building works

• An overview to understand the challenges facing the forthcoming reconstruction of the north spire. 
• A selection of contemporary and historical photographs offering a comprehensive tour. 
• A reappraisal of the work of François Debret, Viollet-le-Duc’s little-known predecessor.

At once an ancient Roman basilica, a Christian mausoleum, an abbey residence and a masterpiece of Gothic art, the Basilica of Saint-Denis is, above all, the famous necropolis of the kings of France. Towards the end of^{the 18th} century, it suffered revolutionary vandalism and the ravages of time. Napoleon^I re-established the Catholic faith there and allocated exceptional funds to it: the basilica became a testing ground for architectural restoration in France.

Following in the footsteps of Guillaume Legrand and Jacques Cellerier, who rebuilt and refurbished it in the neoclassical style of the time, François Debret skilfully utilised the technologies pioneered by the Industrial Revolution: polychrome stained-glass windows, metal framework, bronze doors… However, as he was too independent in his dealings with Prosper Mérimée’s historic monuments authority, he was criticised and discredited: he was accused of restoration errors concerning the^13th-century spire, which had in fact been severely destabilised by strong winds. Debret eventually resigned, to be replaced by his fiercest critic, Viollet-le-Duc. Jean-Michel Leniaud here restores Debret’s reputation, which had been consigned to the dustbin of history since his fall from grace. A significant collection of drawings, opportunely rediscovered, reveals a remarkable artistic temperament.

Major excavation work took place in the early^20th century: for example, the tomb of Queen Arégonde (515–573/579) was discovered, bearing witness to the site’s long history as a royal burial ground.

The recently approved reconstruction of the north spire, the basilica’s next major heritage project, is expected to take around ten years.

Discover the Basilica of Saint-Denis 

Insights into the Basilica of Saint-Denis

• Abbot Suger’s Basilica
• The restoration by François Debret
• The North Spire
• Viollet-le-Duc’s restoration
• The excavations
• The 2012–2015 restoration
• The new interior fittings
• The basilica at the heart of the city

Knowledge beyond…

• The great European necropolises
• The most modern organ of its time
• The layout of the choir
• The sacristy
• M. Lamyne, dressmaker to dead queens
• The north side of the basilica

Jean-Michel Leniaud is an art historian, a specialist in contemporary history, and an expert in the history of architecture and heritage. Among other roles, he is a former chief inspector of historic monuments, a former director of studies at the École pratique des hautes études and a former director of the École nationale des chartes.

He is the author of several books published by Éditions du patrimoine, including a biography of Charles Garnier, and co-author of a major monograph on the Sainte-Chapelle and another on the Basilica of Saint-Denis. 

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