Visir Paris off the beaten path
Basilica of St Denis

A medieval abbey cloister

Console apportioned to the refectory reader?s pulpit (mid 13th century). Preserved at the Maison d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur. © E.Jacquot - Document Archaeology unit Saint-DenisThe cloister, south of the Saint-Denis basilica, sheltered right up to its reconstruction in the 18th century, one of the most original sculpted displays of the medieval West. This construction formed the heart of community life for the monks.

Recent excavations carried out here have revealed a quantity of glazed terracotta tiles attesting to the the presence of sumptuous polychrome pavements. Some mosaic-like tiles are joined together to form a fleur-de-lys.

The Maison d’éducation de la Légion d’honneur owns a sculpted console of a remarkable grapevine ; this piece found during restoration work could have belonged to the medieval refectory reader’s pulpit.



Book your guided tour

Paris's famous covered and secret passages
Paris's famous covered and secret passages
Wednesday 28th January 2026 (and 21 other dates)
50 €

Street art cruise on the Canal de l'Ourcq
Street art cruise on the Canal de l'Ourcq
Thursday 9th April 2026
25 €

100% electric cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin departing from Quai de Valmy
100% electric cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin departing from Quai de Valmy
Saturday 18th April 2026 (and 1 other date)
23 €

 
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