Saint-Denis stages the reconstruction of its spire

Saint-Denis (93). The City of Saint-Denis and its mayor Mathieu Hanotin want to rebuild the spire of the cathedral basilica “a real engine of territorial transformation”. It is with this in mind that a space adjoining the basilica has just been opened, explaining the reconstruction project. We must admit that this space looks great. Visitors can watch live as stone cutters (!) shape stones that will be used for construction or blacksmiths who make or repair the instruments used by the cutters. “We want to be as close as possible to the manufacturing methods of the time”explains Hélène Zurita, employee of one of the companies on the site. For example, cutters use traditional tools to keep track of the striations that chisels leave on the surface as with 12th-century stones. The public can interact with them or mediators present on site, just as they can stroll through the medieval garden.

An exhibition space offers an understanding of the history of the basilica, its spire and this construction site which will last five years. It extends into a large immersive room (very much in tune with the times) which immerses the visitor in a sound and visual atmosphere conducive to relaxation. But as much as the exhibition is rich and well designed, the immersive show could be more dense in information. The buildings are advertised as being recycled because they are built in light materials, favoring wood.

Unlike Guédelon Castle, where all trades work on the reconstruction on site with period tools and clothing, in Saint-Denis, the site is not directly accessible to the public. This space entitled “The Arrow Factory” is a form of interpretation center. It is added to the tour inside the cathedral, managed by the Center des monuments nationaux (CMN) which took the opportunity to increase the price from 11 to 17 euros, or 1 euro more than to climb the towers of Notre-Dame.

Without being decisive, ticket revenues are nonetheless important for meeting the reconstruction budget of 40 million euros. There are still 3 million to find, which does not seem to frighten the mayor who is counting on patronage, the privatization of the space and ticket revenue. In 2024, 147,000 visitors entered the royal necropolis. “Follow the arrow”, the association which is carrying out the reconstruction project and the management of the new space is aiming for a first level of 200,000 visitors, which taking into account an average basket of 6 euros and the revenue to be donated to the CMN (1/3) would bring in almost 800,000 euros, not very far from the million euros that the operation of the Fabrique de la fleche costs. An original crowdfunding offer has also been set up by the Heritage Foundation in which it is possible (for €400) to sponsor a stone and have your initials written on it. To date, 177,000 euros have been raised.