Debout les Reines: the photo exhibition on the gates of Saint-Denis Basilica

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis is home to the graves of 32 queens of France. But it's not these figures of the past who are currently in the spotlight. From September 15 to December 31, 2023, the monument and photographer Louise Oligny unveil a free photo exhibition on the basilica's gates.

Come and admire Debout les Reines, a photography project carried out with the Maison des femmes de Saint-Denis. The Maison des Femmes de Saint-Denis is a treatment center for women who have suffered violence, enabling them to repair their physical and psychological wounds.

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Louise Oligny wanted to help these women regain their inner strength, pride and love, by transforming them in turn into queens. In this exhibition, women of all ages present themselves to the camera. Wearing a crown, holding flowers or a scepter, these queens reveal themselves, open up and show their power. Depending on the model and the shot, we discover sovereigns who are powerful, mysterious, radiant... They impose their personality, their individuality, reclaiming their image through these photographs full of symbolism.

With this exhibition, the artist also questions the meaning of words and the tools of power. What is the link between the queens of France buried in the basilica, and these modern queens displayed on the railings? What is the function of these queens, what power do they have over themselves and their personal kingdoms?

Come and discover this free exhibition at the Basilique Saint-Denis at the end of 2023.