Bezoekrooster10:00 AM – 05:15 PM
Maandag, December 29, 2025
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 93200 Saint‑Denis, France
Terug naar architecture
choir

Gothic Prototype: The Choir of Saint‑Denis

The choir as Gothic prototype: ambulatory, chapels, and structural clarity at Saint‑Denis.

1/16/2026
14 min read
Interior view towards the choir with arches and light

The choir pioneers transparency: slim supports, wide windows, and chapel spokes around an ambulatory. It is a prototype for Gothic Europe.

🧱 Elements

  • Ambulatory ring: Continuous movement around the shrine.
  • Radiating chapels: Spatial petals for devotion.
  • Clerestory: Light band above processional paths.

Structure & Experience

  • Rib logic: Ribs collect loads at slender supports.
  • Glass strategy: Vertical bands aid reading during procession.
  • Altars: Focus nodes along the ring.

Choir Apse glazing

Prototype becomes paradigm for Gothic Europe.

Auteur

Architecture Historian

Architecture Historian

Als Parijs‑liefhebber en reisschrijver heb ik deze gids gemaakt om je te helpen Saint‑Denis te ontmoeten — van de geboorte van gotisch licht tot de intieme aanwezigheid van koninklijk geheugen.

Tags

Saint-Denis
Choir
Ambulatory
Chapels
Gothic

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

Loading comments...