monument
Sainte-Chapelle
13th-century royal chapel built by Saint Louis to house the Crown of Thorns.
History & context
Built in just seven years (1242–1248) by Saint Louis to house the Crown of Thorns and other Passion relics bought from the emperor of Byzantium.
Its upper chapel, bathed in 1,113 original medieval stained-glass panels, is a pinnacle of Rayonnant Gothic.
Key facts
- Built
- 1242–1248
- Style
- Rayonnant Gothic
- District
- 1st — Île de la Cité
Why visit
- ·1,113 original medieval stained-glass panels
- ·Colored light unmatched anywhere
- ·Star-spangled blue vault of the upper chapel
- ·Combine with the Conciergerie
What to see
- ·Upper chapel stained glass
- ·Apocalypse rose window
- ·Starry vault
- ·Lower chapel
Practical tips
- ·Combined ticket with the Conciergerie
- ·Go on a sunny day
- ·Classical concerts some evenings
Good to know
- ·Go on a sunny day: the windows explode with color.
- ·Security check at the Palais de Justice — allow 15 min.
- ·Hours and prices may change: check sainte-chapelle.fr.
- ·Classical concerts on some evenings.
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Come on a sunny morning after 11am: the light through the 1,113 stained-glass panels is otherworldly.
What to avoid
Entry goes through the Palais de Justice security: arrive at least 20 min before your booked slot.
Frequently asked
＋Combined ticket with the Conciergerie?
＋How long inside?
Itineraries with this place
Nearby
Notre-Dame de Paris
A Gothic masterpiece on the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after a historic restoration.
Île de la Cité
Historical cradle of Paris in the middle of the Seine, the founding site of Lutetia.
Louvre Museum
The world's largest museum and former royal palace, the Louvre holds 35,000 works including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.