Everything Everywhere Daily – "The Desecration of St. Denis (Encore)"

Host: Gary Arndt
Release Date: November 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary Arndt dives into one of the more bizarre and unsettling chapters of the French Revolution: the desecration of the royal tombs at the Basilica of St. Denis. The episode unpacks the historical, cultural, and ideological significance behind the revolutionary government's attempt to not just end the monarchy, but to physically and symbolically erase it from French history. Gary weaves together the background of St. Denis, the context of the Revolution, and the harrowing events of 1793–1794, exploring how and why the revolutionaries exhumed and desecrated the remains of centuries of French royalty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Significance of Saint Denis (06:30–10:20)

Location and Founding: St. Denis, a northern Paris suburb, is named for Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, sent by the Pope in the 3rd century. According to legend, after his beheading by the Romans, "he picked up his head and walked several miles, giving a sermon on repentance until he arrived at his burial site." (07:50)
Religious and Royal Importance: An abbey was built at his tomb, eventually becoming the Basilica of St. Denis—a central religious and royal monument. Since 511 AD, almost every French king (save for five) was buried here.
"It became the burial site for almost every king of France. Until the 19th century, every French monarch, save for five, were buried in St. Denis." (09:30)
Architectural First: The basilica's choir’s 12th-century reconstruction marks the birth of Gothic architecture. The site is compared to Westminster Abbey or Arlington National Cemetery in symbolism.

2. Revolutionary Zeal & the Roots of Desecration (10:20–16:00)

Revolutionary Context: Gary contrasts the American and French revolutions: "The Americans simply wanted the British out so that they could rule themselves. The French Revolution was about completely reshaping French society and centuries of French civilization." (12:10)
Societal Overhaul: French revolutionaries sought not just regime change, but the transformation of every social institution, including the abolition of the monarchy, aristocracy, and the Catholic Church.
Reign of Terror: Under extremist influence, the Revolution escalated, with notable acts such as the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and the radical attempt to wipe out monarchical history: "There was still the job of completely changing French society and social institutions... the revolution went beyond abolishing the monarchy and attempted to abolish the very memory of monarchy from French history." (15:25)

3. The Events at Saint Denis (16:00–27:30)

Dissolution and Repurposing: In September 1792, the abbey was dissolved, with the basilica converted into a grain storage facility and its monastic buildings largely demolished (17:00–18:20).
Decree to Destroy: On August 1, 1793, the National Convention decreed all royal tombs should be destroyed to retrieve lead (ostensibly for ammunition), but symbolically to mark the end of the monarchy. August 10 was chosen for its anniversary significance (19:00–20:30).
Systematic Destruction: Destruction began early (August 6–8, 1793) and was conducted mainly by hired workers rather than a mob.
Macabre Exhumations: The first royal body exhumed was Henry IV. His remains were remarkably preserved: "His corpse was taken out of his tomb and was in such good condition that it actually was put on display for two days. The stab wounds from where he was assassinated were still clearly visible." (21:10)
Most exhumed bodies were in advanced stages of decay, producing "a foul smelling thick black vapor" that sickened workers (22:00). Royal valuables were looted, and lead was stripped for war use.
Mass Graves: Over 170 royals and notable figures were exhumed, with all remains dumped without ceremony into two trenches segregated by dynasty (Valois and Bourbon). People reportedly took body parts as souvenirs: "It was reported that many people took body parts as souvenirs, including supposedly an entire leg of Catherine de Medici." (24:20)
Further Desecration: The next year, lead roof tiles were removed, exposing the church to ruin.

4. The Aftermath and Legacy (27:30–32:00)

Napoleon and Restoration: Despite everything, St. Denis retained its symbolic power. Napoleon planned to be buried there, and the church was restored and reconsecrated in 1806 (28:20–29:20).
Reburial Attempt: In 1817, the mass grave was exhumed, but identification was impossible. The bones were placed in an ossuary beneath the church, with names listed for those whose tombs were desecrated (30:00–31:10).
Modern Day: The basilica stands today as an active cathedral and public monument, though most of its former splendor is lost.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Motive for Erasure:
"No other country has taken such extreme measures to destroy the history and the very bodies of the kings and queens that came before them." (31:40)
On Supporter's Regret:
"Even many of the supporters of the revolution in France were uneasy with what happened at St. Denis." (31:30)
Historical Oddity:
"The desecration at St. Denis was one of the oddest and most disturbing aspects of the French Revolution." (31:20)

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:30-10:20 | The foundation and significance of St. Denis | | 12:10-15:30 | Contrasting American and French revolutions, radical societal change| | 17:00-18:20 | Dissolution of the abbey and conversion to grain storage | | 19:00-20:30 | Decree to destroy tombs and its symbolism | | 21:10-22:00 | Grisly details of the exhumations | | 24:20 | Souvenir hunting among the crowd | | 28:20-31:10| Aftermath: Restoration attempts and creation of the ossuary | | 31:20-31:40| Reflection on the uniqueness and horror of the desecration |

Episode Tone & Language

Gary Arndt maintains his signature, informative yet conversational narrative style—balancing historical detail with approachable explanations and occasional notes of dry wit or disbelief at the events’ macabre nature. He avoids sensationalism, presenting disturbing facts with a respectful directness that underscores their gravity.

Summary

This episode offers a detailed recounting of the revolutionary attempt to destroy both the physical and symbolic legacy of the French monarchy at St. Denis. Gary Arndt explores the background and meaning of the basilica, the extreme ideological fervor of the French Revolution, and the haunting events that unfolded when centuries of royal remains were exhumed, desecrated, and erased. The episode closes with a reflection on the uniqueness of France’s attempt to erase its royal past, and the fraught legacy that remains, both at St. Denis and in the national memory.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Hey everyone, this is Gary. Just wanted to let you know that I've been running encore episodes the last few days because I've been moving and that has required disassembling and reassembling my podcast studio. Things are almost back to normal and I should have brand new episodes for you tomorrow. The French Revolution was one of the most significant events in history. It wasn't just a political revolution where one government replaced another. It was also a social revolution where the revolutionaries attempted to upend the entire foundation of French society. But it wasn't just enough to change France. There were also efforts to obliterate France's past. Learn more about the desecration at St. Denis and the purposeful attempt to destroy French history on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. This episode is sponsored by Uncommon Goods. The holiday shopping season is officially here. 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The desecration at St. Denis was a rather bizarre and creepy moment in the history of the French Republic. And to understand why it happened and its importance, there are a few things we need to know beforehand. The first concerns the Basilica of St. Denis itself and its importance in French history. And for the record, I will be using the French pronunciation of Saint Denis for the rest of the episode, not the English St. Denis. St. Denis is a community located in the northern suburbs of Paris, about 9.4 kilometers, or 5.8 miles from the city center. And it's named after Saint Denis, who was believed to be the first bishop of Paris, who was buried at the location which now bears his name. The Pope supposedly sent St. Denis in the third century to convert the Parisi tribe who lived in what is today Paris. And the Romans executed him. And according to legend, he was decapitated and then picked up his head and walked several miles, all while his severed head gave a sermon on repentance until he arrived at his burial site. Today, he is considered to be one of the patron saints of France. An abbey was eventually established at the site of the tomb of St. Denis. The Abbey of St. Denis became an important center of French Christendom. The Frankish king Dagobert I ordered the remains of St. Denis to be reinterred in a new basilica that he had ordered built. Because of its proximity to Paris and its relation to one of the most important saints in French history, it became associated with the French monarchy. In fact, ever since the Frankish king Clovis I was buried there in the year 511, it became the burial site for almost every king of France. Until the 19th century, every French monarch, save for five, were buried in St. Denis. St. Denis was on a par with the cathedral at Reims, which was used for the coronation of French monarchs in importance. And just as an aside, in the year 1144, the choir of the church was reconstructed with what were at the time, very modern architectural techniques. And it's considered to be the very first example of Gothic architecture. So if you wanted to make a comparison, The Basilica of St. Denis was similar to Westminster Abbey in London or Arlington national cemetery in Washington, D.C. the second bit of background information you need to know has to do with the nature of the French Revolution. The American Revolution and the French Revolution are often linked in history because they occurred close together, and they did have some things in common. However, the two revolutions were profoundly different. The Americans simply wanted the British out so that they could rule themselves. The French Revolution was about completely reshaping French society and centuries of French civilization. In perhaps the most famous episode of the French Revolution, the decision was made to execute King Louis XVI and his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette. The execution of Louis XVI on January 21, 1793 by guillotine was something that shocked the royal courts of Europe. The execution of Antoinette nine months later only made matters worse. And you'd think that having overthrown the king, trying him for treason and then executing him, the job of the revolutionaries would have been over. However, it was not. Killing the king and establishing a republican government only changed French politics. There was still the job of completely changing French society and social institutions. In previous episodes, I've touched on the vast social reforms undertaken during the French Revolution. The revolutionary government tried to change the calendar and implement the equivalent of a secular state religion that worshiped reason. They attempted to abolish the Catholic Church, change the legal system, dismantle the aristocracy, institute land reform and a host of other social changes. And to be honest, many of these changes were good and necessary. But the revolution also came under the influence of extremists who ushered in what became known as the Reign of Terror. This episode is about one such instance where the revolution went beyond abolishing the monarchy and attempted to abolish the very memory of monarchy from French history. Because of its historic association with the French monarchy, The Abbey of St. Denis was in the crosshairs of the French Revolution, more so than other properties that happen to have been owned by the Catholic Church. On September 14, 1792, the monks of the Abbey of St. Denis celebrated their last Mass. And on September 15, the next day, the abbey was dissolved. The great Gothic Basilica of St. Denis was turned into a grain storage facility and most of the medieval monastic buildings on the site were were demolished. What happened at St. Denis at this point was actually not out of ordinary, for most church owned property at the time. St. Denis was not the only abbey that was targeted in France. However, about nine months later, on August 1, 1793, after the execution of Louis XVI, the revolutionary government known as the National Convention passed a decree that said the tombs and mausoleums of the former kings mounted in the Church of St. Denis in temples and other places across the entire Republic will be destroyed on August 10. The formal excuse used by the National Convention was to retrieve lead used in the caskets of the monarchs. But in reality, August 10th was the one year anniversary of the storming of Tuileries palace and the end of the French monarchy. The decree was meant to send a message that the French monarchy was over and all vestiges of the monarchy were were to be destroyed. From August 6th to the 8th, they got an early start destroying the funerary monuments of the Merovingian and Carolingian kings. Much of this destruction was actually done by professional builders who were hired for the job and not by a mob. However, the real destruction of the royal tombs was put off until October. We know much of what happened from the accounts of a man named Don Pori, a former monk who lived on the site. The first body that was exhumed was Henri IV, also known as Henry the Great. He died in 1610. His corpse was taken out of his tomb and was in such good condition that it actually was put on display for two days. The stab runes from where he was assassinated were still clearly visible. The body of Henri iv, however, was the exception. As Poirier noted, most of the bodies were decaying. A foul smelling thick black vapor was released, which they desperately tried to dispel with vinegar and gunpowder that they had taken the precaution of burning, which did not prevent the workmen from feeling unwell and feverish, but without consequences. Louis XIII's body was in an advanced state of decay, but it was noted that his mustache was still jet black. And Louis xiv, the man named the Sun King, who had reigned for 72 years, had turned totally black since he had been interred in 1715. I don't want to get into the details of the state of decay of every single monarch who was exhumed, but suffice it to say that it was a very macabre and disturbing sight for those who witnessed it. Each of the tombs was stripped of anything of value that may have been buried with the kings. And this includes all gems and gold jewelry. The lead that lined their tombs was collected to be used as ammunition for the French Army. In total, 46 Kings, 32 Queens, their children and other notable people, 170 in total, had their tombs open and their bodies exhumed. All of them were unceremoniously dumped into two trenches that were dug outside the church. One trench was for everyone in the Valois dynasty and the other was for everyone in the Bourbon dynasty. There was a great crowd that had assembled to witness the burial of all these kings. And it was reported that many people took body parts as souvenirs, including supposedly an entire leg of Catherine de Medici. Layers of lime were thrown down on the layers of corpses to try to keep the smell down, but that was about it. All of the bodies were buried without any respect or dignity. The next year, the lead tiles of the roof of the church were removed, which exposed the interior of the building to the elements. Despite what happened, the significance of St. Denis was never forgotten. The French Republic eventually became the French Empire under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Napoleon planned for his tomb to be at St. Denis, where all the previous French monarchs had been buried. The church was repaired and reconsecrated in 1806, just 13 years after it had been defiled. Napoleon ended up dying in exile on the island of St. Helena, so he was never buried there, but other French monarchs were. Louis xvi, who had been executed by the revolutionary government, had his ashes interred there, and in 1813, a massive renovation took place in the church to restore it to its former glory. However, it wasn't until 1817 that all of the remains that had been tossed into a mass grave back in 1793 were exhumed. However, after 24 years in the soil, in addition to the decades or centuries of decay before that, it was now impossible to identify any of the remains, which were now mostly just bones. All of the bones were placed into an ossuary in the church with the names of all those whose tombs had been defiled. Today, The Basilica of St. Denis is also a cathedral that is open to the public to visit. There were a few monuments inside the church that weren't destroyed, but for the most part, the church lost much of the splendor that it held during its heyday. The desecration at St. Denis was one of the oddest and most disturbing aspects of the French Revolution. Even many of the supporters of the revolution in France were uneasy with what happened at St. Denis. Many countries have removed their monarchs from power, but no other country has taken such extreme measures to destroy the history and the very bodies of the kings and queens that came before them. The executive producer of Everything Everywhere Daily is Charles Daniel. The associate producers are Austin Otkin and Cameron Kiefer. My big thanks go to everyone who supports the show over on Patreon. Your support helps make this podcast possible, and I also want to remind everyone about the community groups on Facebook and Discord. That's where everything happens that's outside the podcast, and links to those are available in the show notes. As always, if you leave a review on any major podcast app or in the above community groups, you too can have it read on the show.