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.