I’ll be in Paris soon and would appreciate recommendations or suggestions for either of these.
I usually just visit on my own but I think this time I’d like a tour when I visit Saint Denis, just the cathedral or a half- day tour including the cathedral. Are there any other recommended sites near St. Denis?
Also, would like to do a river cruise this time. I’m staying in the 5th. What are your experiences with Seine cruises?
Thanks.
Can't help with St Denis, but their website is here, along with info on their own audiotour and guided tour : https://www.saint-denis-basilique.fr/en/visit/visits-and-activities
On every visit, we do an evening Seine cruise. We use the Vedettes du Pont Neuf, located at the quai at Pont Neuf. They have a live commentary, rather than the pre taped one on some of the others. The different companies all follow the same route, but start at different points.
We really love St. Dennis Basilica. The cathedral has no fee, but there is a fee for the crypt/vault where the King's and queens are interred. It is well worth the fee. I have not been to anything else in the area. The metro exit for the church is close by, but IO don't recall the name. St. Denis is under visited. Do go.
Also, we take the Vedettes de Pont Neuf cruises almost every time in Paris, day or night. Inexpensive, live narration. Sit up top for the best views. You can purchase and reserve tickets online ahead of time. Get in line a bit early to snag a seat up top.
"Are there any other recommended sites near St. Denis?"
There is a good behind the scenes tour of the Stade de France which I did a few years ago with my soccer (football) mad son.
The 3:30 PM tour of the basilica on Fridays is in English. The first response above has a link that takes you to tour information. I have not done a tour of Saint Denis but I have been looking at doing something to see how things have changed after the 2024 Olympics and came across this: https://www.pop-plainecommune.com/en/discover-plaine-commune/our-guided-tours/alone-with-family-or-friends/. I planned to go this summer and never got around to it but am passing it along.
Just fyi,
The cathedral in Reims is where nearly every king of France was crowned. It makes a neat bookend with St.Denis. And you can make Reims a day trip from Paris, visiting a champagne house in town and seeing the Musee de la Reddition (Museum of Surrender for WWII). All walkable from each other.
I love Basilica Saint-Denis. I've always gotten the audio guide when I visit the cathedral and it is very good. It's only an additional 4E.
In looking at the official website I see a new area has opened since I went last October. It's called "Fabrique de la flèche" and looks pretty interesting.
https://www.saint-denis-basilique.fr/en/agenda/the-fabrique-de-la-fleche
While I haven't visited Paris Basilique de Saint Denis in quite a few years, I encourage you to visit and I also encourage hiring a local guide although, sadly, I cannot recommend one. In my last visit, the neighborhood in Saint Denis was somewhat run down and, at the time, an area with a higher than average crime rate. The nearest Metro stop ("Basilique de Saint Denis") on line 13 is a mere five minute walk.
