Saint-Denis: City Guide

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Saint-Denis. City Guide.

Situated 9km north of central Paris, it's likely that the most visitors will see of Saint-Denis will be between the train station and the Stade de France.

Heavily industrialized in the 19th century, the town suffered with the collapse of many of these industries in the 1960s. But for those who can overcome the pangs of central Paris for one day, there are some great sights that would make a visit worthwhile.

Town: Despite spending many years as a grimy industrial backwater, Saint Denis boasts a proud past and links to legend and royalty. The town was the venue for the beheading of the first Bishop of Paris in 250 AD. Having lost his head, the legend claims that he carried it for several miles before finally dying in Saint Denis, where the basilica was built iin his honour.

That same basilica became the burial site for most of the kings and queens of France, including Louis XVI who was executed during the French Revolution of 1789. During the revolution, the bodies of the monarchs were removed from their vaults and piled in a heap.

Although the majority of the remains were later returned to the Basilica, it was impossible to distinguish who was who, so a mass grave was created with 2 marble tablets naming the buried monarchs. The remains of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were identified and buried separately on the orders of Louis XVIII during the Restoration in 1815.

The basilica is also the site for the coronation of all of the French queens (the kings were coronated in Reims) and has some impressive stained glass windows.

Saint Denis has been a intensely industrial site since 1824, when the creation of the the Saint Denis canal linked the Seine to the docks at La Vilette. However, the area fell into decline as with many heavy industial areas in the 1960's and 1970's. Recent efforts in gentrification have culminated in the construction of the Stade de France and the creation of 60,000 public service jobs.

Tourist attractions: The famous Basilica in Saint Denis is accompanied by a market and culture caf� in the town where various performing arts projects are available to see or participate in.

Musee de L'orfevrerie Bouilhet-Christofle. St Denis
T�l : 01 49 22 40 40

La Maison d'�ducation de la L�gion d'honneur
St Denis. T�l : 01 55 870 870
Located in a former Abbey built in the middle ages, this building was converted into a girls' school by Napoleon at the turn of the last century and has remained so ever since.

Le Musee d'art et d'histoire. St Denis
T�l : 01 42 43 05 10
Located 300m from the basilica cathedral of Saint Denis, the museum of art and history is in an ex-monastry built in 1625 and inaugurated in 1770 for the birth of Louise of France, daughter of Louis XV.

Post-match hostelries: Those who enjoy a tipple pre and post match would do well to plan their socialising in central Paris. Although there are always beer tents around the stadium, most supporters tend to head back into Paris, particularly when matches are an evening kick-off.

It is also important to remember that public transport becomes more sporadic late at night and stops completely after 1am. Extra trains to the Gare du Nord will be waiting after a match so returning to Paris is relatively hassle-free.

The cost of drinks can vary in Paris, and anyone planning a night on the beer will do well to remember that prices will be higher in tourist areas. If you decide to send some time in Saint Denis before or after, there are a few bars to choose from:

Bistro la Table Gourmande. T�l : +33 (0)1 48 13 06 95

Le Khedive. T�l : 01 48 20 16 15

Brasserie le France. T�l : 01 49 98 24 84
Directly opposite the Stadium

Le Cafe Culturel. T�l : 01 48 20 40 62

Au Pavillon. T�l : 01 48 09 49 25
Next to the basilica in Saint Denis.

Accomodation:

Luxury:

Hotel Sovereign. T�l : 01 48 21 41 41
Situated in the Saint Denis town centre and in immediate proximity to the metro line 13 station Basilique and the T1 Tramway.

Interhotel Wilson. T�l : 01 48 09 96 85
Located in the business district of La Plaine Saint Denis. Walking distance from the stadium and the RER B station La Plaine Stade de France.

Suitehotel Stade. T�l : 01 49 46 54 54
At the foot of the stadium, next to restaurants, bars and the RER B station La Plaine Stade de France.

Mid-Range:

Etap Hotel Porte de la Chapelle. T�l : 01 58 34 00 10
Located in the business district of La Plaine Saint Denis and walking distance from metro line 12.

Hotel Moderne. T�l : 01 48 20 17 15
Located by the metro line 13 station Porte de Paris. Walking distance from the museum of art and history, 5 minutes on foot from the Basilica and 10 minutes on foot from the stadium.

Campanile Saint Denis Centre. T�l : 01 48 20 74 31
Found in the Saint Denis town centre, close to the Basilica. Metro line m�tro ligne 13, tramway T1 ans RER D

Budget:

Hotel de la Poste. T�l : 01 48 20 04 69
Situated in the pedestrian area of Saint Denis near local shops and the Basilica.

Formule 1 Stade. T�l : 0 891 705 377
5 minutes on foot from the Stadium and the RER B station La Plaine Stade de France

Nouvel Hotel. T�l : 01 48 20 12 87
5 minutes from the RER d St-Denis station and close to local shops and restaurants