Housed in the Palais de la Cité, the seat of royalty from the 10th to 14th centuries, the Sainte-Chapelle is one of the finest examples of High Gothic architecture in Europe, offering a light and ethereal beauty that many visitors to Paris unfortunately they never experiment.
Built between 1242 and 1248 by order of King Louis IX, the Sainte-Chapelle was built as a royal chapel to house the Holy Relics of the Passion of Christ. These include the Crown of Thorns and the fragment of the Holy Cross, which had previously belonged to the rulers of Constantinople when it was the center of Christian power. By purchasing the relics, which far exceeded the total cost of building the lavish chapel, Louis IX’s ambition was to make Paris a “new Jerusalem.”
Situated on the Ile de la Cité, the central strip of land between two banks of the Seine that defined the borders of early medieval Paris, the Palais de la Cité and the Sainte-Chapelle were badly damaged during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. . Much of the Sainte-Chapelle was rebuilt, but most of the delicate stained glass is original. The sumptuous upper chapel features 1,113 head-turning biblical scenes carefully carved into 15 stained glass windows.
Location and contact information
Address: Palace of the Cité, 4 boulevard du Palais, 1st arrondissement
Metro: Cité (Line 4)
Information about the Web: Official page (in English)
Nearby sights and attractions
- La Conciergerie (remains of the first royal palace in Paris, most recently used as a prison during the Revolutionary Reign of Terror)
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- latin quarter
- Boat trips on the Seine
Chapel opening hours
La Sainte Chapelle is open every day and operates at different times depending on whether you visit in high or low season:
- From March 1 to October 31: from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
- From November 1 to February 28: from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closing days and times: The chapel is closed between 1:00 and 2:00 pm during the week, and on January 1, May 1 and Christmas Day.
All visitors must go through security checks at the Palace of Justice. Make sure you do not bring sharp or dangerous objects, as these will be confiscated.
Note: The last tickets are sold 30 minutes before the closing of the chapel.
Tickets
Adults pay full admission price to Sainte-Chapelle, while children under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult. Disabled visitors and their companions also enter for free (with a suitable identity card). For up-to-date details on admission fees, check the official website.
The Paris Museum Pass includes entry to the Sainte-Chapelle. ( Direct purchase from Rail Europe)
Guided visits
Guided tours of the chapel are available for individuals and groups. Call to reserve. Special assistance and adapted tours are available for disabled visitors (ask in advance when booking a tour). It is also possible to take joint tours of the Sainte-Chapelle and the adjacent Conciergerie.
Accessibility
La Sainte-Chapelle is fully accessible for disabled visitors, but some may require special assistance. Call to inquire about special visits and accompaniment.
