Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle, in Paris

The Sainte-Chapelle is a jewel of Gothic art, famous for its immense stained-glass windows, on the Île de la Cité. The Paris audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this royal chapel built by Saint Louis to shelter precious relics.

The chapel of Saint Louis and its stained glass

The Sainte-Chapelle is one of the absolute masterpieces of Gothic art and one of the finest monuments of Paris. It was built in the thirteenth century by King Louis IX, become Saint Louis, in the heart of the former Palais de la Cité, for a precise reason: to shelter the relics of the Passion of Christ, including the Crown of Thorns, which the king had acquired at great price. The upper chapel, in particular, amazes by its immense stained-glass windows that rise to a great height and seem to dematerialise the walls: the stone fades before the coloured light, in a profusion of stained glass telling biblical scenes. When the sun crosses these precious glasses, the space lights up with a magical and celestial light, like a setting of stone and colour. A spiritual and artistic jewel, the Sainte-Chapelle is discovered with respect and wonder.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the masterpiece of Gothic art built in the thirteenth century by Saint Louis to shelter the relics of the Passion including the Crown of Thorns, and above all the upper chapel with immense stained-glass windows that dematerialise the walls and light up the space with a magical light telling biblical scenes. The Sainte-Chapelle is a jewel of Paris. It is a major stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Sainte-Chapelle lies on the Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, reachable on foot and by public transport. A place of worship become a monument, it can be visited with respect; the visit follows its own hours and conditions, which vary, and can be very busy. It is best to check the arrangements and to favour a sunny day for the stained glass.

Why did Saint Louis have the Sainte-Chapelle built in Paris?

To shelter the relics of the Passion of Christ, including the Crown of Thorns, which King Louis IX had acquired at great price; he built in the thirteenth century this Gothic masterpiece famous for its immense stained-glass windows.

Where is the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris?

On the Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, in France.