The building is of singular importance historically and architecturally as its choir , completed in , is widely considered the first structure to employ all of the elements of Gothic architecture. The basilica became a place of pilgrimage and a necropolis containing the tombs of the kings of France , including nearly every king from the 10th century to Louis XVIII in the 19th century. The queens of France were crowned at Saint-Denis, and the regalia , including the sword used for crowning the kings and the royal sceptre, were kept at Saint-Denis between coronations.
The site originated as a Gallo-Roman cemetery in late Roman times. The archaeological remains still lie beneath the cathedral; the graves indicate a mixture of Christian and pre-Christian burial practices. Genevieve purchased some land and built Saint-Denys de la Chapelle. In , on the orders of Dagobert I , the relics of Saint Denis , a patron saint of France, were reinterred in the basilica.
The relics of St-Denis, which had been transferred to the parish church of the town in , were brought back again to the abbey in In the 12th century, the Abbot Suger rebuilt portions of the abbey church using innovative structural and decorative features. In doing so, he is said to have created the first truly Gothic building. Although known as the "Basilica of St Denis", the cathedral has not been granted the title of Minor Basilica by the Vatican.
The metre foot tall spire, dismantled in the 19th century, is to be rebuilt. The project initiated more than 30 years ago, was decided in with a signed agreement, [ 9 ] with initial restoration work beginning in From , the building project will commence, with visitors of the cathedral being able to observe the building works as part of their tour.
The cathedral is on the site where Saint Denis , the first bishop of Paris , is believed to have been buried.
