Saint Denis

Saint Denis was the bishop of paris and is the patron saint of France. He was martyred by beheading around 250 AD, after being sent there from Italy by Pope Fabian to convert the Gauls.

Denis was beheaded by sword on the highest hill near Paris (now called Montmartre.) According to the Golden Legend, after he was beheaded, Saint Denis picked up his head and walked several miles all the while preaching a sermon. The site where he stopped preaching and finally died was made into a shrine that later grew into the Saint Denis Basilica.

In art, Denis is depicted holding his head and taking a stroll.