The Heart of French History

One of my favorite sights to visit in Paris is the gorgeous and historic Basilica of Saint Denis in the suburb of Saint Denis. The church and abbey have been the burial place of French royalty since the 10th century (although kings from as far back as the year 500 have had their remains moved here). Parts of the church itself were constructed more than 1,300 years ago. And there are impressive statues and other monuments to the deceased royals (separate from their graves), including a statue of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in prayer (hoping to keep their heads, I’m guessing).There’s also an assortment of royal garments and jewelry on display, including fur cloaks, crowns, scepters and more. The history here is mind-boggling.

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