Sainte Chapelle
Visit the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Marvel at the 1,113 stunning stained-glass windows of this 13th-century Gothic masterpiece located on the Île de la Cité.
Sainte Chapelle
Visit the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Marvel at the 1,113 stunning stained-glass windows of this 13th-century Gothic masterpiece located on the Île de la Cité.
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About Sainte Chapelle
Add to favoritesA jewel of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. Built in a record time of seven years, the Sainte-Chapelle was designed to house the most precious relics of Christendom, including the Crown of Thorns of Christ, acquired by Saint Louis. Its religious and political significance was undeniable. Possession of these holy relics designated the powerful monarch as the head of Western Christendom. The stained-glass windows are exceptional. Distributed across 15 windows, each 15 meters high, the stained glass depicts 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, recounting world history up to the arrival of the relics in Paris. Continue your visit at the Conciergerie, the only remaining vestige, along with the Sainte-Chapelle, of the Palais de la Cité, which later became a revolutionary tribunal and Marie Antoinette's prison.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
For a smart visit to Sainte-Chapelle, the trick is to avoid lingering on the ground floor (the lower chapel), which often serves as a waiting area. Head straight for the small spiral staircase on the left: the visual impact upon emerging into the upper chapel is one of the most powerful in Paris. The secret to avoiding a stiff neck is to use the laminated information sheets or the mobile app to read the stained-glass windows like a giant comic strip, starting from the bottom left of each window. The real secret lies in choosing the right time according to the light: avoid overcast days. The spectacle is at its peak on a sunny afternoon, when the sun's rays pass through the 1,113 scenes depicted, transforming the air into a bath of purple and blue light. Finally, look for the large western rose window (the circular stained glass window): it tells the story of the Apocalypse and offers green and yellow hues that contrast with the rest of the building.
1 Key Dates
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church
1241
Located on the Île de la Cité in Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle was erected by Saint Louis to house the prestigious relics of the Passion, including the Crown of Thorns, acquired as early as 1239.
LOUIS IX
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