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Post by goldenmama on Jun 23, 2007 8:40:29 GMT -5
As it is getting to be crunch time, I was reading old posts and you all brought my attention to St. Denis.
This is one place I absolutely have to get to, and I really need to get an idea of how much time to allow, including travel time.
We would use the metro, probably starting in 1e.
Thanks!
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Post by luckyluc on Jun 23, 2007 17:50:01 GMT -5
Bonjour Maman en or!
From the 1st arrondissement, the métro ride, with one connection to line 13 should take about 30 minutes or so. For sight seeing the Basilica I suspect most travellers would spent more or less two hours.
I listened to the French audioguide but I hubby rented the English and he said that the comments were interesting and well done. There is also a short video (French and English) presentation about the building, as you walk in after the entrance tickets office. Bonne visite.
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 23, 2007 20:40:32 GMT -5
Maman En Or, You will love Saint-Denis. It's absolutely marvelous. I'd recommend having lunch on the terrace directly across from the front of the basilica. The food is perfectly fine, and it's such a pleasant environment. Here is one of my favorite photos from Saint-Denis. It's the memorial to Marie Antoinette. Many statues in the US have shiny spots where people rub the statue for good luck. I think it's rather interesting where Marie's shiny spots are!  |
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 23, 2007 20:43:37 GMT -5
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 23, 2007 21:28:10 GMT -5
Truffaut - Did you rub those shiny spots ? ;D
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 23, 2007 23:19:55 GMT -5
Shoesy!  Thanks to Truffaut for the photos, and Luc for the info. St. Denis is way toward the top of my list for "next time" |
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 23, 2007 23:38:47 GMT -5
Me too, Annette. I'm planning to check to see whose fingerprints appear on those shiny spots.  Aside from that detective work, St. Denis seems like a very worthwhile place to visit. |
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 23, 2007 23:42:16 GMT -5
Yes Shoesy, as the Goddess of Virtue, I think that's definitely in your job description!
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 24, 2007 5:05:10 GMT -5
:)Thanks so much for the information and the photos.
I am so excited to go there, and it took some major shifting in my itinerary, but I have dedicated a morning to it!
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Post by susanb on Jun 26, 2007 19:03:20 GMT -5
Oh Truffaut, Thank-you so much for the pictures. The windows really made my day.
s
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 26, 2007 20:18:02 GMT -5
You're welcome Susan. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I just couldn't resist.
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 26, 2007 20:20:30 GMT -5
Truly, though, the thing I loved most about the Basilica, are the "gisants" (effigies) of centuries' of French kings and queens--absolutely marvelous pieces of sculpture. We happen to have a paper crown in our closet at the apartment left over from a Fete des Rois celebration, and my SO really desperately wanted to go all the way home, get the crown, go back to the Basilica and lay down on the floor to have his photo taken!
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Post by mez on Jun 26, 2007 20:53:34 GMT -5
Oh wow! Those pics of the stained glass are beautiful. St Denis is definitely on my list of things to do. Although I think I can do without rubbing Marie's shiny spots.  Mez. |
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 26, 2007 22:30:31 GMT -5
Same here, mez. I ain't doing no rubbing when I'm there. ;D
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 27, 2007 4:26:54 GMT -5
I agree Shoesy, but I'm sure my son will think the "rubbings" are pretty amusing! |
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Post by trechic on Jun 27, 2007 5:37:36 GMT -5
WOW! Thanks, Truffaut for those amazing photos!!
Can someone help me figure out how I would get there from my apt in the Marais - Metro: Hotel de Ville?? It looks to me like #11 to Concord -#12 to Gare St Lazare and then #13 to St Denis?? Is this correct or is there something easier? Thank You, Tre
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 27, 2007 6:37:21 GMT -5
You've got it right. The only trick is that the 13 eventually splits into two separate lines, and only one of them goes to St Denis. You must make sure that the blue light sign in the front right corner of each train car says "St Denis" instead of "Gennevilliers".
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 27, 2007 9:32:03 GMT -5
Tre, I looked this up on RATP.com because what you described looked like a tricky route for you, but now I'm more confused than ever! The site recommends you walk 5 min. to Chatelet metro, then getting on line 14 direction St-Lazare (4 min), then a 3 min. walk to line 13 direction St. Denis-Universite and getting off at Basilique de St. Denis (16 min). BUT my metro map doesn't show line 14 going to St-Lazare! Doesn't it end at Madeleine? Or has it been extended recently?  |
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Post by luckyluc on Jun 27, 2007 9:53:33 GMT -5
You are right Annette, that is what the RATP map is showing. Frankly I don't remember the 14 at Saint-Lazare.
I always catch the 13 at Champs-Elysée Clémenceau, that is the line I need to go to Truffaut's place from our place.
I am like "un vieux garçon" set in my ways and I do prefer Clemenceau, less people and an easy walk in the station. Though Saint-Lazare would be a little faster I think.
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 27, 2007 10:08:38 GMT -5
Luc, I think your route would be good for Tre....smaller stations to navigate would be my preference!
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Aside from that detective work, St. Denis seems like a very worthwhile place to visit.
hahahha