Visir Paris off the beaten path
Basilica of St Denis

Fredegund (545-597)

Frédégonde (545 † 597), Queen of Soissons and Neustria, third wife of Chilpéric I buried in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Made in the middle of the twelth century, the funerary effigy of the cruel and ambitious Frédégonde, simple servant who became Queen by means of bloody attacks, is one of the most ancient known. This recumbent effigy is distinguished in the originality of the technique used. The thick white limestone flagstone was hollowed and set with colored precious stones and brass filets, thus revealing the face, hands and feet originally painted.

Fredegonde funerary effigy © Pascal Lemaître / Centre des monuments nationaux
Fredegonde's funerary effigy © Pascal Lemaître / Centre des monuments nationaux

Other recumbent statues from the Merovingian dynasty are visible at Basilica cathedral in Saint-Denis.



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Paris's famous covered and secret passages
Paris's famous covered and secret passages
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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
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Express cruise through Old Paris on the Canal Saint-Martin
Express cruise through Old Paris on the Canal Saint-Martin
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