Saint-Denis is the most heavily populated commune in Seine-Saint-Denis. It is located just north of the capital and is a great destination. It is famous for its Basilica, the "tomb of kings" and the Stade de France. It is also a cultural town with a rich history, and will delight architecture and history buffs as well as football fanatics.
Kick off your holiday in Saint-Denis on the Historical route, which features 20 information points which are scattered around the town and tell its story. The basilica houses the tombs of 43 kings and 32 queens since the death of King Dagobert in 639. This Gothic masterpiece is worth visiting for its architecture and stained glass windows. Your next stop should be the Saint Denis Art and History Museum which is located in an ancient cloister of the order of the Carmelites dating back to the 17th century. Here you can learn more about the city's significant periods through permanent and temporary exhibitions. Another historical curiosity is the Fabrique de la ville, a unique place where you can discover Saint-Denis’ archaeology and its transformation over the years.
Saint-Denis is also a modern town, as evidenced by the Stade de France. Designed in 1998 for the football World Cup, this impressive monument can be explored on a guided tour. The arena also hosts other sporting events such as the International Athletics Meeting. The sub-prefecture is popular for its cultural events, including the Festival de Saint-Denis with its classical music and the CinéBanlieue Festival which is organised by the Écran cinema.
From Paris, Saint-Denis is easily reached by taking line 13 of the metro or lines B or Don the RER. The town is also served by several bus routes and a tram line. Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport is close by, making Saint-Denis the ideal base for your trip to Paris.
