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St Denis Basillica - anything nearby?

I've searched the forums a bit but most of the threads about visiting St Denis seem to be from quite a few years ago.

We're thinking of trekking out to St Denis (family of five with tweens) to check out St Denis, but wondering if there is anything nearby so it's not just a there-and-back excursion. Suggestions?

Posted by
8293 posts

There is a fine public market close to the Basilica. Google for photos. At one time there was a really good restaurant adjacent to the market, but I can't find whether or not it still exists.

Posted by
68 posts

Oh, you couldn't have come up with a more perfect answer for our family - we love markets, and that one sounds very interesting. Thanks so much!

Posted by
784 posts

I went to St. Denis on a Friday and there was a huge outdoor market in the square between the Metro station and the Bascilica. I don't know what other days the market may be there, but you can try Googling "St. Denis market" and see what else comes up.

In addition to St. Denis that day, I went to the Musee Nissim de Camondo. I transferred from line 13 to line 2 at Place de Clichy, direction Porte Dauphine, and got off at Monceau, which is right outside Parc Monceau, which is one of the most beautiful in Paris. Another possible place to go from St. Denis is Montmartre. Transferring to line 2, direction Nation, you could get off at Pigalle. Using the Metro Map opens up lots of possibilities for planning your sightseeing day. Get a Plan Deux map at a Metro info booth. It has the Metro on one side and the buses on the other, each big enough to read. It's great for planning. Have fun!

Posted by
8293 posts

It is fine near the Basilica and Public Market but we did some shopping on whatever street is the shopping street (can’t remember) and I was glad to leave. Though my husband did get himself a nice shirt.

Posted by
12172 posts

I wasn't impressed with the market personally, but it's fair to say I'm rarely impressed with public markets. In St. Denis it was like a swap meet. A quick walk through netted not a single thing worth a closer look, let alone discussion of price. French didn't seem to be the common language. I'd guess Arabic.

I'm with Barbra. The Basilica is great, especially when you see the crypt under the church. It's amazing who is buried there (who isn't buried there would be a shorter list).