The Journées du Patrimoine return to Paris and the Île-de-France region for the weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024 . Every year, this European cultural event invites you to take advantage of free tours and unique activities in museums, monuments and châteaux , as well as in places that are usually closed to the public. A rare opportunity to discover the secrets of the Paris region's heritage !
This time, we're taking you to Seine-Saint-Denis, to the town of Saint-Denis, home to one ofFrance' s most historic monuments: the Basilica of Saint-Denis , where the kings of France are laid to rest. Known as the necropolis of the kings, this basilica is a treasure trove ofGothic architecture.
Journées du Patrimoine 2024: discover the most beautiful churches in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Thanks to the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, churches, chapels and cathedrals in Paris and the Île-de-France region will be revealing their secrets this weekend, from September 21 to 22, 2024. [Read more]
The Journées du Patrimoine in Paris take place this weekend, from September 21 to 22, 2024. We invite you to discover the rare monuments from the Middle Ages that can still be seen in the capital, to discover medieval Paris. [Read more]
It stands on an ancient Gallo-Roman cemetery where Saint-Denis, the first bishop of Paris, is buried. Legend has it that he was beheaded on the Butte Montmartre. He then walked north, carrying his head, before stopping in front of a pious woman named Catulla. He gave her his head and collapsed. He was buried where the cathedral now stands, giving his name to the city of Saint-Denis.
Presentation
Artist Sandra Reinflet takes over the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis with the "Nouvelles Reines" exhibition, combining photographic portraits and texts.
Thirty-two queens of France are buried in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis. From Arégonde, Merovingian queen and daughter-in-law of Clovis, to Marie-Antoinette at the dawn of the French Revolution, these queens have left their mark on French history, despite the divisions between them. The monument's stained glass windows, created in the 19th century, recall their presence and their often exceptional destinies.
32 queens, 32 portraits
Sandra Reinflet photographed and projected these stained glass windows onto the bodies of thirty-one female residents of Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers. The exhibition begins with a series of portraits displayed on the forecourt outside the basilica, and continues in the crypt of the royal necropolis. At the end of the exhibition, a space is set aside with a projected stained-glass window so that visitors can take a photograph in a manner comparable to the artist's work. This is how the thirty-second and final portrait of the "New Queens" will appear.
Meeting the new queens
To produce this exhibition, Sandra Reinflet met a number of women in various social structures in Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers. Several writing workshop sessions were necessary to create a bond of trust between the artist and the participating women. An ephemeral photographic studio was then set up in each of the locations to produce portraits inspired by each woman's background.
Stained-glass projections sketched a surprising and poetic mosaic on their skin. The artist's aim is to highlight the resilience, courage and determination of these women, who are today's queens. The photographs are accompanied by texts created during the workshops, anchoring these neo-sovereigns in the realities of the region.
The cathedral basilica of Saint-Denis, a former royal abbey, illuminated the artistic, political and spiritual history of the Middle Ages for centuries.
It stands on the site of the tomb of Denis, the first bishop of Paris, martyred around 250 AD. Abbot Suger, friend of King Louis VI, advisor to King Louis VII and regent of France for two years, had the Carolingian abbey rebuilt between 1135 and 1144. This year marks the 900th anniversary of his accession to the abbatiate on March 11, 1122. To mark the occasion, artist Nayel Zeaiter is presenting a 50-metre-long illustrated life of Abbé Suger in the chevet. This first monumental masterpiece of Gothic art was conceived as an immense reliquary dedicated to light, and destined to venerate the relics of Saint Denis. In 1231, Saint Louis completed the edifice. Nicknamed the "Lucerna", or lantern, because of its luminosity, the 13th-century basilica is a major work of Gothic art, with an exceptionally large transept designed to house the royal tombs. Having become one of the principal necropolises of Merovingian aristocrats and Carolingian sovereigns, the powerful Benedictine abbey definitively linked its destiny to that of royalty under the Capetians by becoming the burial place of the kings of France. 42 kings, 32 queens, 63 princes and princesses and 10 servants of the kingdom were buried here. The royal necropolis houses over 70 carved recumbent figures and tombs dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries, bearing witness to past grandeur and making this one of the most important funerary complexes in the world. In the crypt of the basilica, artist Olivier Darné presents two candle and light-making machines, combined with an exhibition on the uses and symbolism of light in churches before the advent of electricity.
Presentation
Come and enjoy the medieval garden of Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica, located at the foot of the magnificent 12th and 13th century chevet. Guided tours are offered to help you discover this unique garden. You'll also be able to wander freely around this outdoor space, which is usually closed to the public.
European Heritage Days: the program
Don't miss the many free guided tours and events on offer on September 20 and 21 at Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica, to mark the European Heritage Days! Find out more about the JEP program at the Basilica - https://www.saint-denis-basilique.fr/agenda/journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine/decouverte-du-jardin-medieval
Concert program
April 1: Sarah Kim titular organist at the Temple de l'Oratoire du Louvre in Paris
May 12: Jean-Baptiste Monnot titular organist at the Abbey of Saint-Ouen in Rouen
July 7: Vincent Thévenaz titular organist at Geneva Cathedral (Switzerland)
September 21: Andrea Macinanti organ professor at the Bologna Conservatory (Italy)
October 6: Quentin Guérillot titular organist at Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica
October 20: Pierluigi Mazzoni titular organist at Monopoli Cathedral (Italy)
November 3: Levente Kuzma organ professor at Szeged University (Hungary)
Artistic direction: Quentin Guérillot, titular organist at Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica.
During the concerts, the program is commented and the image of the performer is presented on screen.
Interested? Happy Heritage Days in Seine-Saint-Denis!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 21, 2024 to September 22, 2024
Location
Saint-Denis Basilica
1, Rue de la Légion d'Honneur
93200 Saint Denis
Prices
Free
Official website
www.saint-denis-basilique.fr
Journées du Patrimoine 2024: discover the most beautiful churches in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Heritage Days 2024 at medieval monuments in Paris and the Île-de-France region
