Hearts in Jars

My parents and sister were here for a visit two weeks ago, and I'd saved up a few touristy things to do with them, including the Basilique de Saint Denis. Usually considered the first gothic cathedral, Saint Denis is somewhat outside the actual city limits of Paris, but it's still on the regular metro line (one stop before the end of the line where I get out to go to school). Still an active church, just like most of the large, historic cathedrals in Paris, Saint Denis is official resting place of the French royal family. From an art historical standpoint all of these tombs are incredibly important because they track the development of figure depiction in sculpture from the early middle ages on through the Renaissance. The modern black marble tombs created for Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and several others during the latter half of the 20th century look jarringly out of place in the dimly lit crypt. Although, the real attraction is the heart of Louis XVII, visible in its transparent glass jar.