The Sainte-Chapelle and its 1113 stained-glass windows, a true Gothic jewel in Paris

Located just a few meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle is perhaps the most enchanting historical monument in Paris. Tucked away in the heart of the Palais de la Cité, between the Palais de Justice and the Conciergerie, this one-of-a-kind Gothic masterpiece offers a magnificent spectacle for the eyes, as soon as a ray of sunlight filters through the colorful stained-glass windows.

Built in seven years, between 1241 and 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle was intended to house the Crown of Thorns and other Passion relics, purchased by Louis IX in 1239. To preserve these treasures of Christianity, the Church created a building 33 meters long and 42.5 meters high, with 15-meter windows adorned with 1113 sublime stained-glass windows to let in light from all sides of the monument. These holy relics almost all disappeared during the French Revolution, with the exception of the Crown and the piece of the Cross, usually kept in the treasury of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The stained-glass windows, created in the 13th century, are made of colored glass and depict scenes from theOld and New Testaments, recounting the history of mankind from Genesis to Christ's resurrection. The large western rose at the top of the monument tells of future times and the Apocalypse. Its stained glass windows, in shades of blue and yellow, are later and date from the 15th century, explaining the difference in color with the rest of the glass, which was more purplish at the time.

Divided into two parts, the monument boasts two chapels. The lower chapel features a statue of the Virgin, patron saint of the sanctuary, as well as decorations restored in the 19th century and a 13th-century fresco depicting the Annunciation, considered to be the oldest mural in Paris. Accessible to palace servants in the Middle Ages, it served as the base for the upper chapel reserved for the sovereign. The latter contains the richly decorated reliquary and the famous stained-glass windows that give the building its magic. When the weather is fine, the colors of the stained glass reflect off the floor and adorn the interior of the monument with a mystical aura.

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While the monument is primarily religious, it is also a standard-bearer for France's prestige in medieval Europe. To learn more, continue your visit to the Conciergerie, the last vestige, along with the Sainte-Chapelle, of the former Palais de la Cité, a veritable wellspring of history.

The Sainte-Chapelle is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to March, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the rest of the year. To visit the museum at your leisure, book your tickets in advance: the full price is 11.50 euros, while under-26s are admitted free of charge. Visits are free on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December. You can also visit the Conciergerie next door with a twin ticket at 18.50 euros.

To get there, take metro line 4 (Cité or Saint-Michel) or RER lines B and C (Saint-Michel station). Please note that the Sainte-Chapelle is located within the perimeter of the Palais de Justice de Paris, so security checks are reinforced at the entrance to the monument.

Angélique Kidjo in a special concert at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris
On Monday, October 7, 2024, an exceptional concert will take place in the sumptuous setting of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The artist Angélique Kidjo will give a unique and exclusive performance to mark the 40th anniversary of her career and the opening weekend of the "Révélation! Contemporary Art from Benin" exhibition. For the occasion, Angélique Kidjo will be accompanied by pianist Thierry Vaton. [Read more]

Monument Jeu d'Enfant 2024: workshops and fanfare at the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle
The Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle are taking part in the new edition of Monument Jeu d'Enfant, on October 19 and 20, 2024. For the occasion, the Conciergerie is offering unusual tours, with various workshops... [Read more]

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