Your Versailles & Monarchy highly qualified guide with his chauffeur will meet your at your hotel in Paris and will escort you to the Saint Denis Basilica for a VIP half day tour of the very first gothic cathedral in the world : burial place of most Kings and Queens of France since the 7th Century up to and including Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.
Be inspired by the magnificent gothic structure highly worthwhile in itself, and by the impressive tombs of French monarchs, and be taken to a unique time-travel through more than 1500 years of royal grandeur. During this visit, you’ll be told the history of this very tight link between the Roman Catholic Church and the French throne, an unfailing link which eventually led to the tragic destruction of the monarchy.
You will then picture why funeral rites of Kings had to be so impressive and symbolically powerful, such as the one of Louis XIV, “The Sun King” which lasted 2 months and cost the equivalent of a beautiful chic Mansion.
Opening Days
6/7 (except Monday)
Meeting-Point
Your hotel or apartment
Duration
3Hr (with transport)
1,5Hr (without)
Access
Skip the Line
Transport
Executive car
Type of tour
Private, up to 25 people
Choose a 5 stars tour with a highly qualified guide.
Because we know that driving a car and telling an interesting story during a guided tour requires different specific skills, we propose you to be guided by a very knowledgeable licensed guide and driven by a specific Chauffeur.
That way, your Versailles & French Monarchy expert guide is really dedicated to you. He has more time for you and more interesting anecdotes & stories to share with you & your driver is focused on your safety. This is a real private tour.
The Saint Denis basilica takes its name from the grave on which it was built, the grave of Denis, a legendary character considered a Patron Saint of Paris. According to the catholic tradition, Denis was sent by the Pope in the year 250 to evangelize the northern roman Gaul, and his preachings were so successful that he became the first bishop of Paris. Tortured and beheaded by the romans, he performed a miracle, delivering a sermon after his execution, and bearing his head in his hands, he marched to Saint-Denis, hence expressing his will to be buried there.
Our expert Versailles / French Monarchy expert guide will tell you the story of this site steeped in history. The basilica is now the only remain of a large, amazingly powerful abbey, one of the most powerful institution of the catholic world indeed. Especially from the 12th Century, when the basilica was rebuilt in a new, revolutionary style, making this church the very first gothic architecture in the world, launching a new fashion throughout north-western Europe: the Gothic style and its stained class windows, since Gothic is about height, light and color. A style devoted to build churches always higher, in an attempt to get closer to God, churches flooded in divine light.
The numerous funeral monuments are exceptional. You will have the opportunity to admire the statues made of marble or stone, representing the kings and queens of France, some of them bearing the authentic features of their faces, being modeled from death masks.
During this fascinating guided tour of Saint Denis Cathedral you’ll be told the amazing staging of the Royal funerals, most significant of the need to assert the Royal Greatness, so dear to Louis the XIV’s heart, the events which preceded and followed the Sun King’s death, the 10 hours procession from Versailles to Saint-Denis, the ceremony itself, conceived as a magnificent show, the apparent grief of the French people during this imposed 2 months national mourning…
Your Versailles / Monarchy expert guide will reveal you the tragic fate of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette during the French Revolution, when the people in fury desecrated the church and how the monument and statues miraculously survived the French revolution… Also how kings’ remains didn’t survive the most zealous revolutionaries’ decision to exhume them and throw them into a mass grave. It’s during the short period of the Restauration of the absolute Monarchy, between 1814 and 1830 that an attempt to restaure the desecrated necropolis was made. But how to reassemble the missing pieces of this immemorial puzzle ? Your guide will reveal this plot to you… He will tell you about the tragic end of the last royal family : Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and their 10-year-old son Louis XVIIth, whose memory is honored by a cristal urn allegedly bearing the heart of the young king.
Museum of sculpture, birthplace of Gothic art, final resting place of French Kings and Queens, and fascinating stories about them, the Saint Denis Basilica tour is meant to surprise and amaze you. This tour can only be made by an expert of the French Monarchy.
We usually start our tours at 8am, 9am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. We can also start our tours from 10am to noon but you need to be aware that we won’t have time for lunch if you choose a half day (or we will shorter your tour).
Basically we do not take the responsibility to carry your luggage during the day. If you need to tidy your luggage we can arrange it with an extra but we need to know it before booking.
Visitors with disabilities can not access everywhere in Saint Denis Basilica. Please contact us before booking and we will customize your tour.
Saint Denis Basilica is closed on January 1, May 1, Dec 25th.
2 steps away from our office in Paris, near the Madeleine church, inside the beautiful square Louis XVI, is the “Chapelle Expiatoire”. It’s a monument erected in memory of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. On this place was originally located a cemetery. During the Revolution, a large number of famous guillotined characters were buried there : The King and the Queen, their cousin Philip of Orléans, the countess du Barry and many others… In 1815, under the Restauration of the french monarchy, the mortal remains of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were transferred to the Saint-Denis basilica, burial place of kings.
During the same period, Louis XVIII decided to erect on his expenses a moarning chapel in memory of his brother Louis XVI and his sister-in-law Marie-Antoinette. On demand, this wonderful small garden and chapel in the heart of Paris can be the subject of a fascinating guided and commented stop on the way to your hotel.
The guided tour can be extended to a typical Parisian lunch or dinner, which will delight you with its intimate atmosphere and handmade meals, typical examples of fine cuisine and french gastronomy.
| Number of people | Total Price all included |
| 2 people | 320 € / pers |
| 3 people | 250 € / pers |
| 4 people | 200 € / pers |
| 5 people | 168 € / pers |
| 6 people | 145 € / pers |
| More than 6 people | Start the booking process to know the price or contact us |
Lorenzo was born in Paris. He spent his childhood in Italy and returned to Paris in his early adolescence. He then studied French history and literature in the Sorbonne University and theater in private schools, where he discovered a passion for storytelling.
So he went back to historical studies and became a certified tour guide, dedicating himself to telling ancient and recent history of Paris using the techniques of storytelling. He is a keen history teller, joining together culture, history and art, he will take you for a trip back in time at the court of Versailles.
Lorenzo
Born in Italy, Claire’s love story with Paris began the moment she arrived. Today, she shares this passion daily with visitors from around the world.
Her tours are infused with warmth, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to connect. Every step with her feels like walking alongside a friend who reveals secrets only locals know.
Claire’s specialty lies in turning history into living stories—moments that sparkle with emotions, anecdotes, and discoveries.
At Notre Dame and on Île de la Cité, she unveils centuries of art and faith with clarity and grace.
In Versailles, she guides you through grandeur and intimacy alike: the famous gardens, the dazzling Hall of Mirrors, and above all, the rare Royal Opera House—her personal favorite.
What sets her apart is the atmosphere she creates: relaxed, personal, and effortless. Guests often remark that with Claire, they feel at home, even in a royal palace.
Her ultimate reward? Seeing amazement in her visitors’ eyes, the quiet smile of wonder, or the occasional tear moved by beauty and history.
Guiding, for Claire, is not a job but a vocation: a way to build bridges between cultures, past and present, art and people.
Claire
Zoe was born and grew up in Paris. She is a 100% Parisian who loves her home city; its history, architecture, culture and gastronomy. She is a passionate and enthusiastic guide, who has a delightful desire to share her passion with customers from all around the world. Very personable and knowledgable, Zoe will make you discover the bright side of Versailles in a local, funny and lively way. She will make your trip to Versailles and Paris a memorable expérience.
And always with her smile , and her sense of humor !
Zoe
Marc-Antoine is a French licensed tour guide and a true Parisian. Since he was a kid he has always enjoyed cycling up and down the city to discover hidden streets and architectural gems. After graduating in English, he joined the Associated Press bureau in Paris to become a journalist. He later worked as an editorial expert in PR companies.
Marc-Antoine
Book one of our private experience to Versailles and get a safe & intimate guided tour with your partner/family.
Benefit from one of our gentleman drivers and his comfortable executive cars.
