Église Saint-Denis

The church of Saint-Denis stands in its enclosure in the heart of the town. It boasts the oldest Gothic tower in the region, dating from the 13th century.

A symbolic site
This church stands halfway between Saint-Bertin Abbey and the cathedral. It is therefore located on the former procession route, now rue Saint-Bertin. It is one of the oldest parish churches in the city. It was built to accommodate the city's rapidly growing population.

Partly medieval architecture
The oldest parts of the building date from the 13th century. These include the tower and sculpted elements in a north chapel. Around 1705, during a hurricane, the spire that topped the tower collapsed onto the nave.

Witness to the Ancien Régime
Since the Middle Ages, this church has been home to noble families. It bears witness to this. Inside, chapels and funerary sculptures are dedicated to them. For example, there is the black Tournai stone tombstone of Antoine d'Averhout (or Avroult), who died at the Battle of Azincourt. As a town-centre parish, Saint-Denis was also home to the great merchant families and aldermen. It was also the church of many trades. Before the French Revolution, they were grouped into guilds. The guilds had their own statutes, customs, patron saint and chapel within the church. Saint-Denis still has the painted woodwork of the carpenters' chapel and a beautiful altar in the fishmongers' chapel. This represents only a small part of its impressive furnishings.

The church will soon be reopened to the public.

Show less