The phrase has been used for centuries "Paris, near Saint-Denis". The French capital seen as a suburb of the royal city.
BY ANTOINE VIERNE French World Cup Organising Committee n the sumptuous basilica of Saint-Denis you can find the tombs of practically every French king since Hugues Capet. A royal abbey since the 7th century, Saint-Denis became one of the most important basilicas in France in the 12th century, thanks mainly to Abbé Suger who commissioned the construction of the first Gothic cathedral in France in 1144. However, it was not completed until much later, at the beginning of the 13th century. In addition to its "royal" connections, the town developed its commercial side too and was one of the major business centres in the region for several centuries. The commercial tradition has not died out - even today there is still the famous Lendit fair to serve as a reminder. Economic centre Despite the royalist connections, the Dyonisiens, as the inhabitants of Saint-Denis are known, were active participants in the French Revolution, and for a number of years the town went by the name of Franciade.
Changing image Changes are still taking place at Saint-Denis, and major companies such as Siemens, Panasonic, Gaz de France, Electricité de France have been welcomed there; it is also where the prestigious high speed train, the TGV, is made, and there are many audio-visual firms in the area, making it one of the foremost national centres in this sector. Yet, perhaps because of its rich history, this industrial town with its 95,000 inhabitants is also a cultural centre. In addition to the basilica, the rest of its architecture is exceptional too. There is also a musical festival of international status, a renowned theatre and a major book fair. And as for sport, the opening of the Stade de France end of January 1998 has added to the already impressive list of facilities in this area.
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