To say that the kings and queens of France must be turning in their graves is probably pushing it, but they might be raising an eyebrow. Amid the fairy-tale-like tombs of the royal necropolis, inside the basilica of Saint-Denis, vast throngs of Olympics sports fans are jostling for a glimpse—and a sneaky selfie—before heading off to the athletics. While it’s true that this Gothic cathedral could hardly be described as a ‘hidden gem’, it’s almost certainly never seen a crowd quite like this before.
As one of the main locations for the Paris 2024 Games—and an integral part of their legacy—the northern suburb of Saint-Denis has been placed firmly in the international spotlight this summer. Home to the new Aquatics Center, the existing Stade de France stadium, and part of the athletes’ village, this once-overlooked area has provided the backdrop for some of the Games’ most magical moments, not least the Olympics closing ceremony where Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise descended dramatically into the arena.
So not only has Saint-Denis been beamed all around the world, alongside iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Seine, the town has also seen unprecedented numbers of visitors. According to the Paris tourist office, Paris je t’aime, local day-trippers during the Olympics were up +40 percent versus 2023—and foreign overnight stays increased by +205 percent. In both cases, this was among the steepest increases in the region.
