Transportation to St. Denis
Jun 26th, 2005, 07:13 PM
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Metro ligne # 13 Saint-Denis Basilique stop is close to the cathedral, burial place of many French royals. Saint Denis is i believe where Saint Denis finally collapsed after having his head cut off near Montmartre; kind of he hit the wall. You can also go by rail from Gare du Nord on suburban trains to St. Denis stop but you'll be a bit farther from the cathedral. St. Denis is an especially grimy suburn - one of the crime-ridden northern "banlieux" or suburbs full of crumbling tower blocks with lots of immigrants; notorious in France for their violence, which though paling in comparison to the likes of Detroit, Chicago and many large American cities, is a great concern to the French.
Jun 26th, 2005, 07:30 PM
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No i didn't mean to frighten - i've walked in these dicey areas many times, and the crime is mainly at night in the tower blocks, not on the streets. I'm sorry if i gave the wrong impression, i was just trying to give background on the area - not dangerous but grimy.
Jun 27th, 2005, 05:46 AM
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We took the metro, went into the Tourist Office across the square (about 1/2 block in front of the basilica), then into the basilica, then up and down 2 or 3 streets - went into various stores, and used the post office to get stamps... Ate a baguette-sandwich lunch on the square..
I don't recall it being 'grimy' or 'crime-ridden' at all. The area PalQ is referring to must be quite off the path.
I don't recall it being 'grimy' or 'crime-ridden' at all. The area PalQ is referring to must be quite off the path.
Jun 27th, 2005, 06:19 AM
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Havn't been there in several years - my last visit the area was grimy and the basilica itself was covered on the outside with graffiti - apparently have cleaned up the area a lot. In any case i'd have no qualms about going there.
Jun 27th, 2005, 06:43 AM
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Our visit was a couple years ago, too... didn't notice any graffiti... can't remember if the basilica itself needed a 'cleaning'...
I just remember how amazing all those crypts were!
Interesting "article":
http://www.artist-at-large.com/saintdenis.htm
Another thread with info about the basilica:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34622309
I just remember how amazing all those crypts were!
Interesting "article":
http://www.artist-at-large.com/saintdenis.htm
Another thread with info about the basilica:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34622309
Jun 27th, 2005, 07:03 AM
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I visited the St. Denis Basilica in November 2004 and March 2005. The Basilica is close to the Metro stop, perhaps a five minute walk. I went during the daytime and felt perfectly safe.
The Tourist Information office is close by but closes for lunch, so plan accordingly.
Woody
The Tourist Information office is close by but closes for lunch, so plan accordingly.
Woody
Jun 27th, 2005, 09:08 AM
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Thanks, Travelnut, for that thread. I'm thinking of going on Sunday, so that's useful.
You can watch a little segment on the cathedral here:
http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html
Program #2 from "Art of the Western World."
For people reading this in the future, there's a concert series at St. Denis. I believe this takes place in June. Its website has details.
You can watch a little segment on the cathedral here:
http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html
Program #2 from "Art of the Western World."
For people reading this in the future, there's a concert series at St. Denis. I believe this takes place in June. Its website has details.
Jun 27th, 2005, 09:36 AM
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I will. Most likely I'll include a link to my blog -- I'll post a link to a trip report when I get back as I always do.
I don't know if you saw my other thread on cathedrals, but having thought a little bit more about cathedrals and done some research on them, I think that it'd make sense to see the one that started the Gothic style. Granted, Chartres would probably be more impressive, but I really don't have that much time on Sunday (if I can even fit St.-Denis in). And it looks like St.-Denis would be easy to get to, and it'd be pretty interesting. Michelin thinks so also -- other guide books seem to be less enamored of St. Denis.
If you can get high-speed net access, do definitely watch that segment on St.-Denis in that PBS program. In fact, I recommend that entire hour-long episode. I really enjoyed it.
I don't know if you saw my other thread on cathedrals, but having thought a little bit more about cathedrals and done some research on them, I think that it'd make sense to see the one that started the Gothic style. Granted, Chartres would probably be more impressive, but I really don't have that much time on Sunday (if I can even fit St.-Denis in). And it looks like St.-Denis would be easy to get to, and it'd be pretty interesting. Michelin thinks so also -- other guide books seem to be less enamored of St. Denis.
If you can get high-speed net access, do definitely watch that segment on St.-Denis in that PBS program. In fact, I recommend that entire hour-long episode. I really enjoyed it.
