Sainte-Chapelle

The basics

Sainte Chapelle tickets can be purchased ahead of time online. If you plan to visit many of the museums and monuments in the Paris region, it would be worth getting the Paris Museum Pass as the Sainte Chapelle is part of the Palais de la Cité, and entrance is included with the Paris Museum Pass. Visitors can purchase a combination ticket like the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie Guided Tour with Ticket in Paris, which includes access to both the chapel and the adjoining La Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned.

Official Sainte Chapelle tours are conducted in French only, so book a group or private tour if you want to explore the chapel with a guide. For the best value, opt for a walking tour of the Île de la Cité, which includes visits to other attractions such as the towers of Notre Dame or a Seine River Cruise & French Crepe Tasting by the Eiffel Tower.

Things to know before you go

• All visitors must go through a security check. Large bags are not allowed inside.

• Audio guides are available in 11 different languages.

• Most areas of the Sainte Chapelle are wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

Sainte Chapelle is located on the Boulevard du Palais, on the Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine River. It’s a short walk from nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, and the closest metro station is Cité (Line 4). Alternatively, ride the RER or metro (Line 4) to St.-Michel Notre-Dame and walk across the Pont Saint-Michel.

When to get there

The Sainte Chapelle is open daily year-round, but it can get crowded in peak season, so opt for an early morning visit to avoid the crowds. The most impressive time to admire the stained glass windows is in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun shines directly through the glass.

The Upper Chapel

The magnificent Upper Chapel is the star attraction of the Sainte Chapelle. It’s encircled by 15 gigantic stained glass windows, each towering 49 feet (15 meters) high, which depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The 13th-century artworks have been painstakingly restored and are joined by the 15th-century Rose Window to create a dramatic effect, bathing the chapel in multicolored light.

Ways to explore

Self-guided visits to Sainte-Chapelle take between 30 minutes to an hour, and it’s best to prebook a timed-entry ticket. Visit the upper and lower chapels, see the Relic Platform where the Crown of Thorns was once held, and admire the elaborate stained glass windows with 1,113 biblical scenes.

Guided tours are often combined with the neighboring Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned during the French Revolution. Other ways to visit include joining a walking tour of the Île de la Cité or combining it with a visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Entrance to Sainte-Chapelle is free with a Paris Museum Pass.

Accessibility

The chapel is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Free wheelchairs are available for rent; however, the restrooms are not accessible. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, water, headphones (for the smartphone audioguide), a light cover-up (it can be cool inside the chapel), ID (EU residents under 26 can enter for free)

What to wear

Modest clothing suitable for a place of worship; comfortable walking shoes for the Île de la Cité cobblestones

Not allowed

Motorbike helmets, glass bottles, aerosols, large bags and suitcases, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades (no luggage storage); no strollers in the upper chapel

Amenities

Gift shop, restrooms (at the neighboring Palais de Justice), audioguides in six languages (€3 fee), free Sainte-Chappelle stained glass app

Address

Sainte-Chapelle is next to the Palais de Justice and the Conciergerie on the Île de la Cité in central Paris. It’s accessible on foot or by vehicle, but it’s best to reach the island by metro.

Driving

While you can drive on the Île de la Cité, it’s not recommended. The largely pedestrianized island has limited parking and is within Paris’ Low Emission Zone. Opt for a taxi or rideshare service.

Public transportation

The closest metro station is Cité (4), directly opposite Sainte-Chapelle. Alternatively, hop off at Châtelet (1, 7, 11, 14) on the right bank and walk across Pont du Change. Or, ride the RER to St-Michel (B, C) on the left bank and walk across Pont Saint-Michel.

Best times to visit

The most mesmerizing times to visit are midmorning (10am–11am) or late afternoon (3pm–5pm) when the sun shines through the glass and light fills the chapel, especially on bright, sunny days.

Best days to visit

The chapel is open daily, but it’s often less crowded on weekdays, especially Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Best months to visit

To avoid the summer crowds, visit in spring or fall. In the low season—January through March and November through December—visits are free on the first Sunday of the month.

Special events

Evening classical concerts are held throughout the year at Sainte-Chapelle, and the chapel is free for the European Heritage Days each September.