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The abbey church of Saint-Denis played an important role in the development of Gothic as early as in the 12th century under Abbot Suger (1081-1151). He enriched and embellished his abbey by the construction of a new church built in the nascent Gothic style. In 1231 Abbot Eudes Clément ordered a further reconstruction, perhaps because the upper parts of the Suger building were already in danger of collapse, but perhaps also simply to acquire at long last a completely modern church. The ancient and hitherto spared Carolingian nave was now sacrificed, though the ambulatory of Abbot Suger's choir was preserved.
The photo shows the nave (completed in 1281) with choir and transept.
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