Sainte Chapelle, Paris
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Sainte Chapelle - by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash
Description
The Sainte Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is a royal chapel built in the 13th century on the Île de la cité in the River Seine in Paris (making it on the earliest surviving building there, alongside the Conciergerie). It was commissioned by Louis IX to house precious Christian relics such as Christ's crown of thorns (since then transferred to the Cathedral Notre Dame). The Chapel is one of the best examples of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture (a very "vertical" style) and the monument - which was secularized after the French Revolution - is famous for its extensive collection of stained-glass windows.
Access & Transport
The Cité (4) métro station is 100m away from the monument and there is a bus stop along Bd du Palais. The Saint Michel Notre Dame (4, RER B, RER C) and Châtelet stations are also a 5mins walk away. In terms of accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility, there is an access ramp with a 10% gradient to the lower chapel and access to the high chapel is by a lift with limited space
Instructions & Recommendations
*** Priority to visitors with a reserved time slot (online booking) *** We recommend combining a visit to the Sainte Chapelle with the Conciergerie (not reviewed here but there is a discounted price covering both monuments), Notre Dame de Paris (from outside only as the attraction is closed since the fire in 2019), a look at the Hôtel de Ville, and a walk through either Saint Germain-des-Prés or the Latin Quarter. If you have some flexibility in your itinerary, try to pick a sunny day as lighting makes a difference in the chapel.
Environmental & Social
Neutral from an environmental standpoint (only some heating/ventilation). Socially, slightly positive as it helps preserve the city's artistic and architectural heritages.
Conclusion
The Sainte Chapelle is really known for one thing: its stained-glass windows, lots of it with a beautiful gothic architecture. The chapel is not very large, so value is debatable, and it comes down to whether you wish to be impressed, even if only for a brief time. If you like stained glass windows then include it to your itinerary and try to pick a sunny day for best effect.
Key positive
Extraordinary density of stained-glass windows. Few churches, if any, can compare in that respect
Centrally located
Key negative
A little expensive for the size of the chapel (partly due to recent large restoration cost)
Not as impressive on a non-sunny day
Limited accessibility due to the building original architecture
Suitability
No religious denomination restrictions and accessible for wheelchair users
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 19m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Start of Season 1:Apr, 01
MONDAY09:00 - 19:00
TUESDAY09:00 - 19:00
WEDNESDAY09:00 - 19:00
THURSDAY09:00 - 19:00
FRIDAY09:00 - 19:00
SATURDAY09:00 - 19:00
SUNDAY09:00 - 19:00
Start of Season 2:Oct, 01
MONDAY09:00 - 17:00
TUESDAY09:00 - 17:00
WEDNESDAY09:00 - 17:00
THURSDAY09:00 - 17:00
FRIDAY09:00 - 17:00
SATURDAY09:00 - 17:00
SUNDAY09:00 - 17:00