A must-see
article | Reading time6 min
The Fabrique de la flèche is closed on Mondays. The royal necropolis remains accessible.
A Gothic jewel and the necropolis of the kings and queens of france, basilique cathédrale Saint-Denis is continuing its spectacular transformation with the reconstruction of its tower and north spire. Through the construction of the spire, Europe's largest heritage site becomes a unique immersive experience, combining history, expertise and innovation.
A thousand years of history and art
Built on the tomb of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, the basilique cathédrale Saint-Denis is a thousand-year-old jewel box and the beating heart of French history.
In the 12th century, under the impetus of Abbot Suger, it became a founding site of Gothic architecture, with its vast transept bathed in light, its ribbed vaults and its colourful stained glass windows.
Until the mid-nineteenth century, its north tower was crowned by a spire rising to a height of almost 90 metres. Hit by violent storms and dismantled, both are about to be reborn thanks to a unique project.
© Pascal Lemaitre / Centre des monuments nationaux
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108 metres long
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29 metres of vaulted ceiling
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+12 metres in diameter for each of the rose windows
An exceptional reconstruction project
A collective ambition
The reconstruction of the tower and the north spire is part of a process of renewal that goes beyond the scope of the works.
Coupled with the renovation of the historic centre, it will contribute to the cultural, tourist and economic development of Saint-Denis.
This global project, of unprecedented scope and format, is a real lever for supporting the region's major ambitions: to make the basilique cathédrale and its neighbourhood a remarkable heritage site.
© Yann Castanier / Ville de Saint-Denis
Innovation serving tradition
As key elements of the world's first Gothic façade, the tower and spire will be rebuilt exactly as they were using the original drawings, sketches and materials.
But while tradition will be honoured, innovation will also be on the agenda, with a first for a project of this kind: digital modelling of the stonework by 2BDM Architectes and Art Graphique & Patrimoine, providing cutting-edge technological support for the work of the craftsmen involved.
© Centre des monuments nationaux
An evolving heritage
The worksite will give new life to the tower and its 90-metre-high spire, adorned with 25 gargoyles, 8 finials, 183 capitals and even a cockerel at the top.
Designed as a training ground, the project will also help to train a new generation of heritage craftsmen: specialists who will guarantee the highest standards of practice and ancestral know-how, enhanced by the most innovative technologies.
© Centre des monuments nationaux
© Centre des monuments nationaux
© Centre des monuments nationaux
© Centre des monuments nationaux
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15 228 stones cut, equivalent to the weight of 5 to 6 Airbus aircraft
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130 craftsmen and young people in training
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5 years of work
From the Royal Necropolis to the Fabrique de la flèche
The Fabrique de la flèche, a place of transmission
At the base of the basilique cathédrale, the Fabrique de la flèche completes the tour of the royal necropolis and invites you to go behind the scenes. In this unique 3,000m2 site, you can discover the secrets of builders past and present, in five different areas.
In the stone-cutting companies' lodge, you can watch the craftsmen shaping the blocks to be used in rebuilding the spire.
The quarry lodge, the craftsmen's village, and the stonemasons' and blacksmiths' lodges bring together and illustrate the wealth of heritage trades.
A fun educational area completes the tour, with creative workshops, costumes and tools for young builders aged 3 to 8.
© Centre des monuments nationaux
Discovering and marvelling
As well as passing on know-how, the Fabrique de la flèche offers a truly immersive experience.
With a permanent exhibition on the history of the basilica and its spire, documentary films on the raising of the stones and the sound of the bells, a virtual reality room where you can slip into the shoes of a craftsman, and a 360° cinema session, the basilique cathédrale is revealed through your senses and your emotions.
When it's time for a break, head to the restaurant area or the medieval-inspired garden of the Fabrique de la flèche, for a moment of relaxation in the shade of the trees and the basilique cathédrale.
© Centre des monuments nationaux
A reinvented tour route
Prior to the opening of the Fabrique de la flèche, an initial project has already been launched to renew and enhance the visitor experience within the basilique cathédrale.
In April 2025, a new interactive and educational trail was inaugurated to help visitors discover the monument.
Available in French, English and Spanish, the tour is organised around three main themes: the royal necropolis, the architecture of the basilica and its history.
The reception room has been refurbished to house a new area offering multimedia content on the treasure of Saint-Denis, royal funeral rites and a model of the centre of Saint-Denis in the 17th century.
The tour, which is designed to be lively, accessible and inclusive, is punctuated by a host of innovative features and media for all ages: animated films, multimedia tables, digital labels, children's content and tactile elements for the visually impaired.
© Didier Plowy / Centre des monuments nationaux
Book your visit
Your ticket gives you access to the entire tour, from the royal necropolis to the Fabrique de la flèche.
The Factory is closed on Mondays, but the necropolis remains open.
Suivez la flèche
The association Suivez la flèche is the project manager for the reconstruction of the north tower and spire of basilique cathédrale Saint-Denis. Under an agreement signed with the Ministry of Culture in 2018, it is managing the reconstruction project and promoting all the cultural, educational and craft initiatives that go with it.
Through the Fabrique de la flèche, open since October 2025, it embodies a contemporary and lively vision of heritage: offering an immersive and cultural space, where everyone can (re)discover and immerse themselves in the history of the basilique cathédrale, traditional skills and the art of the builders.
Sponsor a stone
You too can join the adventure of this exceptional heritage project and leave your mark on the history of France. In partnership with the Fondation du patrimoine, Suivez la flèche invites you to contribute to the reconstruction by sponsoring one of the 15,228 stones.
Visit the association's website to choose your stone and follow its journey, from extraction to installation.
Newsletter of the association Suivez la flèche
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