Paris attracts tourists with its unforgettable romantic atmosphere and rich history. We are now talking about Saint Denis Street β one of the oldest streets of the French capital. Saint Denis is a historic red lights district in Paris that attracts the locals and the tourists with its historical attractions, shopping, and the unique atmosphere created by the sex workers one can meet in the streets of this unique spot. The name of this district is used as a euphemism to denote prostitution by the French mass media.
Saint Denis is one of the streets that played a significant role in French history. Laid by the Romans in the 1st century, it is along this street that the French kings went to their coronations at Notre Dame. The same street witnessed the monarchs on their last journey to the Saint Denis Basilica, where they were buried after their death. Several historical monuments of the past still attract tourists from around the world, becoming reminders of the rich history of Saint Denis.
When you come to Paris, you should pay a visit to this atmospheric place to see the Saint Denis Basilica β a medieval abbey with Gothic elements in architecture, which became a necropolis for all French kings until Louis XVIII. These works of architecture were created by the architect Francois Blondel to commemorate the victories of Louis XIV in Flanders and crossing the Rheine.
Saint Denis is also remarkable for its arcades. Passage du Grand-Cerf, which dates back to , was recently restored. Now it is one of the most beautiful and largest covered arcades in Paris, where tourists and locals can buy handmade jewelry, fashion clothes, and furniture. Another must-visit in the area is Passage du Caire. It is the oldest, the longest, and the narrowest covered passage in Paris.
The glass roof of the passage looks like a fishbone. It got its name due to the Egyptian goddess Hathor whose three statues decorate the entrance to the passage. Passage du Caire was built in and became one of the architectural monuments devoted to the Napoleon campaign to the Egyptian pyramids. Now in this ancient building, the ready-to-wear wholesalers lead their business. Passage du Caire is not the only tourist spot that reflects the interconnection between France and the Arabic world.
