Sainte Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is a hidden gem in the Ile de la Cite. Built in the 13th century, the chapel features over 1,000 beautiful stained glass panels that bathe its interior in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Commissioned by King Louis IX in the 13th century as a shrine for his collection of holy relics, Sainte Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is widely considered to be the finest example of the Rayonnant style of Gothic architecture. At nearly 800 years old it is one of the oldest surviving structures from the former Palais de la Cité, a palace that once stood on the Ile de la Cité and was the seat of power for the medieval kings of France. Completed almost 100 years before Notre Dame first opened its doors, Sainte Chapelle is known for its high vaulted ceilings, delicate interiors and extremely detailed stained glass panels. Much of the stained glass at Sainte Chapelle is original and when light passes through its nave, visitors are bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Visiting
The first thing you notice as you approach Sainte Chapelle is its flamboyant Gothic style. Complete with an oversized rose window, flying buttresses and impressive spire, it is amazing to think that it took just six years to build. Notre Dame Cathedral, which stands a mere 500 meters from Sainte Chapelle, took nearly 200 years to construct! While Sainte Chapelle is considerably smaller, its humble limestone stone facade conceals a spectacular interior glowing with light and rich colours that must be seen in person to appreciate.
Entering Sainte Chapelle is like stepping into a beautiful work of art. There is exquisite detail everywhere you look, from the patterned tile on the floor all the way up to the deep blue vaulted ceiling with its gilded ribs. Of course, what stands out above all else in the chapel are its stained glass panels. There are fifteen panels the nave and apse of Sainte Chapelle that together creates spectacular walls of light in deep hues of red and blue. Each panel consists of intricate pattern work and iconography illustrating scenes from the bible. The chapel features nearly 6,500 square feet of stained glass in total, containing no fewer than 1,100 characters!
Concerts at Sainte Chapelle
Just imagine spending an evening listening to classical music in an 800-year-old palace chapel built for a king. It may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t! Sainte Chapelle doubles as a magnificent concert venue and hosts 100 performances throughout the year. Tickets are available for purchase to the general public and can even be paired with dinner or a glass of Champagne after the show.
History
In the 13th century Paris and much of France was ruled by the Capetian dynasty, one of Europe’s oldest royal houses. The Capetian King Louis IX was a devout Catholic and in 1239 he purchased the Crown of Thorns from Byzantine emperor Baldwin for 135,000 livres, an incredible amount of money for the time. Louis IX then commissioned Sainte Chapelle as a shrine to his newly acquired holy relic. In contrast to the Crown of Thorns, the cost of Sainte Chapelle - stained glass windows and all - was a mere 40,000 livres.
Sainte Chapelle was built on the grounds of the Palais de la Cité, located on the Ile de la Cité in the heart of Paris. This was the seat of power for the Capetian dynasty and the chapel is one of the few remaining structures left from the former palace. Construction of Sainte Chapelle took just six years and it was consecrated in 1248. Intended primarily for private rather than public use, the chapel is divided into a lower level and an upper level. The lower level acted as the church for the inhabitants of the Palais de la Cité, while the upper level housed the Crown of Thorns and was reserved exclusively for the king. Louis XI spent the remainder of his life collecting additional holy relics and died while on crusade in North Africa in 1270. He was later canonized by the Catholic Church and is now widely known as Saint Louis.
Sainte Chapelle survived untouched for centuries until the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Amidst the chaos and upheaval of the revolution, the chapel was looted of its treasures and heavily damage. However, large cabinets protected much of Sainte Chapelle’s beautiful windows. Today two-thirds of the stained glass is the chapel remains original. Most of the relics Louis IX collected were lost, but the Crown of Thorns was protected and is now held 500 meters down the road at the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Repair work in the 19th century and more recently in the 21st century has helped bring the chapel back to its former glory. Following a painstaking seven-year restoration period, Sainte Chapelle recently reopened in the summer of 2015.
Paris Perfect's Personal Tip
Combine your visit to Sainte Chapelle with a trip to the nearby Conciergerie. Also once a part of the Palais de la Cité, it was later converted into a famous prison that housed Marie Antoinette and other notable figures before their executions.
Essential Information
- Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
- Closest Metro: Cité
- Website: http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/
- Opening Hours:
- 1 March to 31 October: 9:30 am to 6.00 pm
- 1 November to 28 February: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
- Also open on Wednesday evenings 15 May to 15 September (last admission at 9.00 pm)
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