Saint Denis Basilica, Saint Denis, France (near Paris).
Saint Denis is the patron saint of France and first bishop of Paris. Dagobert I, king of the Franks, who reigned from 628 to 637, founded the Abbey of Saint Denis.
The church is an architectural landmark, considered to be the first major structure built in the Gothic style. (For a detailed description of the unique architectural design of this building see the book Pillars of the Earth by British author Ken Follett.)
The Abbey is where the kings of France were buried for centuries and is therefore often referred to as the "royal necropolis of France." The Abbey Church contains some fine examples of cadaver tombs. The effigies of many of the kings and queens are on their tombs, but their remains are no longer there, because the tombs were emptied (and damaged) during the French Revolution. Some of the members of France’s royal families buried in the Saint Denis Basilica are:
- Clovis -- (465-511)
- Francis I of France
- Francis II of France
- Henry II of France and his wife Catherine de Medici
- Louis XVI of France and his wife Marie Antoinette
For a more detailed list of other members of the French Royal families buried in Saint Denis Basilica see:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/famousSearch.cgi?mode=cemetery&FScemeteryid=639001
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