The Spire Factory

The Spire Factory (Fabrique de la flèche in french) is opening its doors to the public, enhancing the visitor experience at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis. 

Located at the foot of the building, the Fabrique offers you a unique insight into an exceptional construction site open to visitors: the reconstruction of the basilica’s north tower and spire, for which the ‘Suivez la flèche’ association is the project manager.

On this new tour, you will begin your visit at the royal necropolis, with its unique collection of 70 recumbent statues of kings and queens of France, its Gothic architecture and a remarkable collection of stained-glass windows, before continuing on to the Fabrique de la flèche.

In this new immersive space, designed as a veritable heritage laboratory, you’ll discover the fascinating world of builders past and present: craftsmen’s lodges, workshops, a permanent exhibition, a 360° cinema, virtual reality and a children’s area await you. When you step into the Fabrique de la flèche, you’ll find yourself at the heart of one of Europe’s largest heritage restoration projects!

As soon as you enter, you’ll find yourself in the craftsmen’s workshops, where stonemasons, blacksmiths and other skilled tradespeople share their expertise in real time: you can watch them at work, chat with them and discover the traditional tools they use. 

The permanent exhibition ‘A Spire for Saint-Denis’ traces the history of the basilica, its spire and the great medieval building projects through models, artefacts, interactive displays and documentary videos. 

A virtual reality room allows you, by booking in advance, to step into the shoes of a medieval builder, whilst a 360° immersive cinema plunges you into a poetic and sensory reconstruction of the spire’s evolution.

Young visitors aren’t forgotten either: a dedicated area for children aged 3 to 8 offers creative workshops and age-appropriate activities designed to help them discover the trades involved in the building site whilst having fun. 

A medieval-inspired garden offers a green retreat that ties in with the basilica’s monastic and architectural heritage. 

Finally, a shop and a catering area, both freely accessible, round off the visit.