St Denis Cathedral

Old Feb 21st, 2017, 09:04 AM
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St Denis Cathedral

I was reading about St Denis Cathedral and thought it would be interesting to see. I'm reading old Fodor's posts and it sounds like it might be in a bad (unsafe) area. Has anyone been there recently? Thank you,
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 09:44 AM
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It has been several years since we visited St Denis and it is worth a visit. The Metro stop is very near SD so it is just a short walk. We considered walking around after the visit but it seemed a bit sketchy--not appealing at all but probably not unsafe.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 09:59 AM
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depressing looking area in general also several years ago when I last visited but I think around the basilica (and probably the whole area) totally safe - as nini says short walk metro to church -at least in the daytime.

Let's see what our coterie of Paris residents and experts say!
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 10:07 AM
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we went a few years ago when we had a bit of time to kill before a rugby match at the nearby Stade de France. It's not like the centre of Paris, but in daylight it was fine. We walked there from the Stade de France RER station, and after touring the Basilica, sat in the Place in front of it and had lunch.

After the match we walked to a different Metro station in order to avoid the RER crowds and that was fine too.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 10:16 AM
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Politically correct answer is that it is a socially mixed area. But of course safe.
For those into recent history police cordoned off the area about 2 blocks from there and gave assault to a safe house in which some terrorists had found shelter.
For the normal people walking from metro to basilique pay attention to your belongings more than in central Paris. Hide your valuables.
You are not in Paris anymore you are in the 93. Pronounce neuf trois.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 10:22 AM
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It is bad/unsafe in certain parts of St Denis as a large metro area, but not where a tourist would go visiting the cathedral, etc. There are huge subsidized housing projects in other parts of St Denis and some dicier areas. I think they get coded by the govt as problematic, I forget the name of that system or designation (ZSP, zones de securite priortaires?). I think Seine St Denis as a whole department has a lot of violence crime and drug dealing, some of the highest rates in France.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 12:52 PM
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We visited the Basilica in December. As other posters have said, it is a short walk from the metro. We did not feel unsafe but we did not wander too far from the immediate area. The church itself and its history is very interesting and worth a visit.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 12:58 PM
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We visited in 2014...one of our highlights of our Paris trip. Did not feel unsafe. Here's our afternoon at Sr. Denis (with photos)

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/paris-2014/

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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 01:10 PM
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One of my favorite jaunts outside Paris is the Saint-Denis marche on Sundays. Part of the market is held in a magnificent wrought iron building recently restored. On those occasions , I also visit the basilica and take a look at the Oscar Niemeyer building for L'Humanite. Then I walk through the business area to the Canal to continue my stroll. Never have I felt the least bit uncomfortable, but this is Sunday afternoon.

Seine Saint-Denis proper is a huge area with a city (Saint-Denis) of 100,000. There are dicey areas, yes, but if one stays in the center near the market and basilica there's not a problem and there's a lot to see.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 07:45 PM
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The immediate area around the basilica has been cleaned up about 2 years ago and is much nicer than before.
Since you just have a short walk from the Metro to the basilica, there really isn't anything to worry about, if this is what you came to see.
The surrounding area contains a mix of all nationalities, but there is no danger from anyone you would meet. They probably won't be interested in you, anyway.
I would worry more about pickpockets on the Metro, so keep your valuables safe.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 08:09 PM
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The Basilica of Saint Denis is, IMO, extraordinary! Do consider visiting it if it interests you at all!
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 08:27 PM
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I went there about 5-6 years ago. I was alone.
I didn't know it was supposed to be a "dangerous " or "sketchy area" .. however I knew it would be working class.
And it did seem like it.. I wont sugar coat it all politically correct, but call it as I saw it as a middle aged , middle class woman , from western Canada.
Looked like a economically depressed area with more poor and black people.
HOWEVER.. I didn't feel unsafe, it was the middle of the day with many people about, so I didn't feel like all of a sudden a gang was about to attack me.. lol.. in fact, I was a bit careless while sitting at the café facing St Denis.. and put my e reader on the table while routing through my purse( where I kept it normally ) and a waiter approached me and reprimanded me ( nicely, lol ) telling me not to leave it on the table because of snatch and grab. So obviously I did not feel like I was in a very ominous situation .


I totally recommend a visit.. I loved it, the crypts especially.

Just don't be careless with your stuff. And don't go late at night.. lol
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 03:47 AM
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Probably most at risk in Gare du Nord metro station or one at St Denis - at turnstiles, etc.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 04:13 AM
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Thank you to all who responded. I would like to think I'm a pretty savvy traveler and know how to handle myself in this type of area. Looking forward to seeing the crypts!

Maitaitom - I was reading your trip report and that is what sparked my interest in St Denis! I took many notes from your report. Great read! You're very funny!
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 05:10 AM
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There are two new reasons to visit the Basilique Saint Denis. One is that the street market across from the basilica has been completely redesigned (this is not the wonderful market building but a completely different market). As the biggest street market in the Paris metropolitan area, it was becoming more and more chaotic in terms of tired old parasols and sagging stands. So the city of Saint Denis paid for completely new unified structures (337 in all) with a bright new color scheme and design. Everybody (and especially the merchants) is so happy with this new design that the street markets of Paris are expected to adopt the same system. You can see it all in Saint Denis first if you go on market day.

The other big news is the reconstruction of the second spire of the basilica. One of the spires was severely damaged by a huge storm in 1847, so the ruined pieces were dismantled. The government has given its approval for reconstruction after all of the appropriate studies have been completed. The spire will be built using funds donated by visitors, so don't expect to see it completed for another 30 or 40 years, but I'm sure that the construction work will be fascinating.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 05:51 AM
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What day is market day in St Denis?
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 09:37 AM
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Marché du centre-ville

• Mardi de 8h à 12h30
• Vendredi de 8h à 13h
• Dimanche de 8h à 13h30
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 01:01 PM
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thanks for the info about the St Denis market, kerouac. not sure when we'll be back in Paris but I will consider it.

Bearing in mind the time that the spire reconstruction is going to take, it's likely beyond my use-by date so I'm not so bothered about that.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 03:43 PM
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IMHO Saint-Denis Basilica is a hidden gem, not to be missed, though Paris first-timers with only a few days probably might be advised to concentrate on the A-list sights first.

It is, in many ways, more mystical than Notre Dame, the way the light comes through the windows. It also is the burial place of most of the French monarchs back to Clovis (5th c.).

In addition, at least when we've been there, it has been nearly devoid of tourists.

We've been there several times and never felt unsafe...always in the daytime. The walk from the Metro (#13) is about two blocks.

If you can fit it in, you will be well-rewarded.

ssander
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 04:21 PM
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I have been to St-Denis a few times, not recently. The first time was probably 20 years ago, and the surrounding neighborhood wasn't pretty, but not off-putting. The last time I was there was maybe 8 years ago, but again not scary or really even sketchy, just a lower- to middle-class neighborhood with a multi-ethnic population - just like where we lived in the USA.

To me it is one of the wonders of France. But I do have to admit I get a special historical pang whenever I visit the burial places of famous royalty (Ferdinand and Isabella in Granada and Richard Coeur de Lion and Aliénor d'Aquitaine at Fontevraud nearly did me in. Even Napoléon's tomb in Paris gets to me). Silly, I know, but there is just something so profoundly touching, for me, about being able to gaze upon these phenomenally influential people whom I spent a lifetime reading about and studying. I mean, there they are....amazing!

Go. Don't be put off by the surroundings.

Thanks, kerouac, for the updates. Next time we're in Paris I'll take DH there - he's never been.
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