The Holy Chapel is an important two-storey Gothic chapel, which is one of the jewels of the High Gothic style. It is impressive for its architecture and large stained glass high windows, which give the whole chapel its lightness. Sainte-Chapelle is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world.
It was built in 1248 to house important relics, notably the crown of thorns of Jesus (now housed inNotre-Dame).
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Upper and Lower Chapels
The church is rather austere on the outside to emphasize the slenderness and importance of the stained glass windows. What makes it particularly interesting is the fact that it is divided into two floors.
Thelower chapel was used as a parish church and is less ornate and more utilitarian compared to the upper one. The space is 7 metres high and three-aisled. The nicely decorated ceiling and the subtle wall decorations are striking. The windows are much smaller and less ornate than in the upper chapel.
Theupper chapel is a monumental space with a height of almost 21 metres and beautiful slender stained glass windows. All this is complemented by the rich but subtle and uncluttered decoration of the walls and ceilings. The upper chapel was intended primarily as a reliquary for precious relics and a royal chapel for worship. It is accessible by a pair of spiral staircases from the lower chapel.
Admission and opening hours
Sainte-Chapelle is open every day, but opening hours vary according to the season. In high season (March-October) 9am-7pm, off-season (November-February) it closes at 5pm.
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Admission is per adult 13 eur, Children and students up to 26 years of age free. For more information visit: sainte-chapelle.fr.
How to get there
The chapel can be found on the Île de la Cité, a short walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. Next to the chapel is the Conciergerie Historical Museum, but it used to be a prison and a gothic palace.
The island is best reached by metro to Cité station or by bus to the Cité - Palais de Justice stop.
- Metro 4 - Chatelet, Catacombs, Porte d'Orléans, Gare Montparnasse, Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est
- Bus 21 - Louvre, Palais Royal, Opera, Place de Clichy (Montmartre), Latin Quarter, Gare Saint-Lazare
- Bus 38 - Chatelet, Latin Quarter, Centre Pompidou, Luxembourg Gardens, Catacombs, Gare de l'Est, Gare du Nord
- Bus 47 - Chatelet, Latin Quarter, Place d'Italie
- Bus 96 - Hotel de Ville, Latin Quarter, Place des Vosges, Gare Montparnasse
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