Database: Royal Crypt

The royal crypt houses the bodies of all but three of the kings of France. Louis IX was once buried there, but during the French Wars of Religiion from 1562-1598, his tomb was melted for its brass and his body disappeared.* -- * According to several secret accounts, Louis XIV subsequently had the tomb rebuilt inside a hidden chamber of the crypt. How opulent. -- Until the French revolution, most of the tombs had never been opened. Once they were exposed, many treasures were stolen that had been buried with the kings and queens.** -- ** Probably pilfered by those little old ladies on Antiques Roadshow. --