Built between 1136 and 1286, the St-Denis basilica is in some ways the most important Gothic church in the Paris region. It was here, under dynamic prelate Abbé Suger, that Gothic architecture (typified by pointed arches and rib vaults) arguably made its first appearance. The kings of France soon chose St-Denis as their final resting place, and their richly sculpted tombs -- along with what remains of Suger's church -- can be seen in the choir area at the east end of the church. The basilica was battered during the Revolution; afterward, Louis XVIII reestablished it as the royal burial site by moving the remains of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette here to join centuries' worth of monarchial bones. The vast 13th-century nave is a brilliant example of structural logic; its columns, capitals, and vault are a model of architectural harmony. The facade, retaining the rounded arches of the Romanesque that preceded the Gothic style, is set off by a small rose window, reputedly the earliest in France. You can also check out the extensive archaeological finds, such as a Merovingian queen's grave goods; there's information in English.