Sainte-Chapelle

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The chapel was constructed in just seven years, a record speed for the 13th century.

2. 2

   The original Crown of Thorns relic cost more to acquire than the construction of the entire chapel building.

3. 3

   The stained glass was removed and hidden in secure locations during both World War I and World War II to prevent destruction.

4. 4

   The rose window in the upper chapel was replaced in the late 15th century and features Flamboyant Gothic style designs.

5. 5

   The chapel's structure is a prime example of the Rayonnant style of Gothic architecture, which emphasizes verticality and light.

6. 6

   A major multi-year restoration of the stained glass, completed in 2015, used state-of-the-art techniques to clean centuries of grime and grime-attracting varnish.

Overview

Sainte-Chapelle is a royal medieval Gothic chapel located within the medieval Palais de la Cité on the Île de la Cité in Paris. Commissioned by King Louis IX, it was consecrated in 1248 to house precious Christian relics, including the Crown of Thorns. The structure is world-renowned for its fifteen soaring 15-meter-high stained-glass windows covering 612 square meters of wall surface. These windows depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The chapel consists of two levels: a lower chapel originally for palace staff and an upper chapel reserved for the King and his court. The upper chapel walls are composed almost entirely of glass, supported by a delicate stone framework. It is part of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and is protected as a French Historical Monument.

Insider tips

• Purchase tickets online in advance to bypass long queues at the security checkpoint.

• Visit during a sunny day to fully experience the light filtering through the stained glass.

• Download the official smartphone app, which provides an interactive guide to the biblical scenes in the glass.