Puces De St. Ouen And Basilica St. Denis

The next day, May 31st, we took P to see the Puces de St. Ouen, aka, the Puces de Clignancourt, and further, the Basilica of St. Denis. St. Ouen/Clignancourt is perhaps Paris' best known market for brocante, collectibles, antiques, and such. Much high-end stuff, once you get past the blanket and awning retailers. In particular, we were thinking P might enjoy the jewelry, since she is now herself an apprentice jewelry artisan. We were right, and we never got beyond the jewelry stands and shooting a few curiosities. Previous visits to St. Ouen are here and here. We have visited St. Denis and its basilica three or four times. St. Denis itself has one of the largest markets in France, and the Basilica is the original Gothic church; and also contains the tombs of nearly all France's kings and queens. P knows enough French history to appreciate the latter bit, although it was a challenge to get her to go into the (creepy) crypt. Among previous posts on St. Denis are this, that, and thisandthat.

At the Ash Trays And Stuff shoppe

At the Antique Insulators And Stuff shoppe

Interesting ceiling presentation, whatever it is

Coffee grinders, etc.

We were always members of the Camping and Caravanning Club
(the friendly one) (UK)

In the Metro; note royal necropolis signage

A little urban futbol on the forecourt of the hotel de ville and the cathedral

The scaffolding suggests they're still intent on rebuilding the
north tower 

That's abbot Suger, inventor of Gothic, supplicating
in the archivolt

Nave view

Helpful model of what it looked prior to the Revolution

Now in the creepy crypt

Nicer part of the crypt; Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

If you want to see any Romanesque funny faces, you
have to go to the crypt

P recovering, actually in a little warming hut for guards in cold weather

Chancel, the oldest bit, the Sugerian bit

Altar, Jesse Tree window on the right

Now back in the nave, looking at some of the larger royal
monuments

"Ping pong, anyone?"

And now, the exciting conclusion...some French artiste has thought up
this clever little golden hut, out on the main floor, whereby the visitor can retire,
recline, and reflect on the experience of being interred in the great basilica...

Seriously; I am not making this up; no one could make this up
[click to enlarge and read (in English too)]; this is more French
than a baguette; and not the first time we have encountered such a thing;
nor the first time I have accepted the challenge...

Of course I had to try it, resting, reclining, reflecting; 

the pose is not quite right; but then I am not royalty, nor much

of a believer; somehow, the grand-daughter was not horrified; 

as far as I know...a great sport, and a great sense of humor...