If you are planning your first trip to Paris, you will likely include Sainte-Chapelle on your itinerary. This guide will cover the 25 upper and lower chapel highlights that make this dazzling stained-glass church worth visiting. You will also learn the best time to see Sainte-Chapelle, ticket costs, how to get there, tour options, and even how to get in for free.
With so many stained glass windows, paintings, and sculptures scattered throughout two levels, finding them and learning their history can seem overwhelming and time-consuming. This guide will help you navigate Sainte-Chapelle efficiently to save time for other activities in Paris.
Sainte-Chapelle’s Two levels
Upper level of Sainte-Chapelle
Most of you are going to Sainte-Chapelle to see the main attraction, 15 gigantic stained glass windows in the upper chapel. Scrolling down, you’ll find photos of each window and corresponding apostle sculptures mounted to the wall between each window.
In this guide, I’ll explain the location, stories, and design behind each of the 15 stained glass windows. In the upper chapel, you will also see the Rose Window, ceiling design, decorative floor tiles, and the Holy Thorn Reliquary.
Lower level of Sainte-Chapelle
To get to the upper chapel, you will first go through the lower chapel.
Here, you will see a statue of King Louis IX, beautiful medallion paintings, and large columns painted with ornate castles. Remember to look behind and to the right of the statue, where you will find the oldest painting in Paris, the Annunciation.
You may have heard rumors about long lines and trouble getting tickets into Sainte-Chapelle. However, by planning, you should have no problems having a great time at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is Sainte-Chapelle?
In English, Sainte-Chapelle means “holy chapel.” This church is within the medieval Palais de la Cité, a royal residence for the Kings of France until the 14th century. It is on the River Seine and the Île de la Cité (Island in the Seine).
Some background information is essential before we discuss the top 25 reasons to visit Sainte-Chapelle. This will help you understand the church’s history and why it was built.
King Louis IX
King Louis IX of France, who later became Saint Louis, commissioned the building of Sainte-Chapelle. He wanted it to hold his collection of holy relics, which he had at one point 22. You will see his statue in the back of the lower chapel when you go. He is the reason Sainte-Chapelle exists.
King Louis IX was a good king because of his reforms, piety, and fairness.
People call this time the golden century of Saint Louis. Nicknamed the “most Christian King,” he led two Crusades and remains the only French ruler to receive canonization as a saint.
He also funded other churches, like ramparts and sea walls that protected the abbey at Mont Sainte-Michel. If you have time to visit in France, read our article about a day trip from Bayeux to Mont Sainte-Michel.
Building Sainte-Chapelle
Construction began around 1242 and finished in less than seven years, which is quick given the size and complexity of the stained glass windows. Researchers know that someone consecrated the chapel in 1248.
Building Sainte-Chapelle to display the holy relics was a way for King Louis IX to legitimize his divine right to rule. Owning the sacred relics made him the most powerful and divine king in Europe.
Jewel Box Church
On our two-week trip to France, we saw many beautiful churches, including Sainte-Chapelle, nicknamed the jewel box church.
The Gothic church contains 15 stunning stained glass windows containing 1,113 biblical scenes and another massive window called the Rose Window. Over 75% of the church is made of stained glass!
These dazzling windows are the oldest stained glass in Paris and depict the story of mankind from Genesis to the Resurrection of Christ. The exterior of St-Chapelle is known for its intricate Gothic architecture, but most would agree that the real beauty is what’s inside the church.
Interesting Facts About Sainte-Chapelle
Holy Relics of Sainte-Chapelle
The royal chapel housed 22 relics, including those from the Passion of the Christ, most notably the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross. The Crown of Thorns sat inside a crystal tube decorated with gold filament and displayed in the apse at the east end of the upper chapel.
Other sacred relics included the Blood of Christ, Holy Sponge, Mandylion, nails from the crucifixion, relics of the Virgin Mary, and a stone from the Holy Sepulchre.
King Louis IX Expenses
• Cost to build Sainte-Chapelle: 40,000 livres
• The cost to buy holy relics: 135,000 livres
• Cost to build a vessel to put relics in: 100,000 livres
Research shows that Saint Louis paid 40,000 livres to build Sainte-Chapelle but paid an astonishing 135,000 livres for the Crown of Thorns. This vast discrepancy shows Saint Louis’s importance on relics and his desire to rule as a religious leader.
The Crown of Thorns was stored in Sainte-Chapelle for 500 years. It is now stored at Notre Dame in Paris.
The French Revolution
Unfortunately, during the French Revolution, vandalizers stole relics, broke stained glass windows, destroyed parts of the King Louis IX statue, and pulled down the spire. Much of the structure was restored, including damaged windows. Today, over 70% of stained glass windows are original.
The royal chapel now operates as a museum under the French Centre of National Monuments. Saint-Chapelle sits in the heart of the Île de la Cité in Paris and is embedded within the Palais de Justice complex. Sainte-Chapelle comprises two main rooms, the lower chapel and the upper chapel.
Top 25 Reasons to Visit Sainte-Chapelle
Here’s a list of 25 highlights you should see before leaving Sainte-Chapelle:
- Stained Glass Windows in the Lower Chapel
- Annunciation Painting
- Statue of King Louis IX
- Gilded Buttresses and Ceiling in the Lower Chapel
- Medalian Paintings
- Castles of Castile Columns
- Stained Glass Window 1: Book of Genesis
- Stained Glass Window 2: Book of Exodus
- Stained Glass Window 3: Book of Numbers
- Stained Glass Window 4: Book of Deuterotomy and Joshua
- Stained Window 5: Book of Judges
- Stained Glass Window 6: Book of Isaiah and the Tree of Jessee
- Stained Glass Window 7: Saint John the Evangelist and the Childhood of Christ
- Stained Glass Window 8: Christ’s Passion
- Stained Glass Window 9: Book of John the Baptist and Daniel
- Stained Glass Window 10: Book of Ezekiel
- Stained Glass Window 11: Book of Jeremiah and Tobias
- Stained Glass Window 12: Book of Judith and Job
- Stained Glass Window 13: Book of Esther
- Stained Glass Window 14: Book of Kings
- Stained Glass Window 15: Story of the Relics of the Passion
- The Rose Window
- The Floor Tiles in the Upper Chapel
- The Ceiling in the Upper Chapel
- Holy Thorn Reliquary
Lower Chapel of Sainte-Chapelle
After standing in line for about 20 minutes, we got the go-ahead from security, and it was our turn to start making our way towards Saint-Chapelle’s entrance.
Your first order of business will be to pass the metal detector. Remember that Saint-Chapelle is part of the Justice Building, which is why there are extra security measures.
The guided and self-tours start in the lower chapel of Sainte-Chapelle. When we arrived, we learned it once served the palace servants, staff, and commoners.
It has small windows, is dimly lit, and has vaulted dark blue ceilings with golden lilies painted on them. The lower chapel now serves as part of the museum and contains a gift shop.
Sainte-Chapelle Travel Tip
On our 14-day trip to France, we bought tickets online for the 9:00 a.m. time slot. We could have gone later in the day, but we’re glad we didn’t because it was packed every time we drove by the entrance. I’d highly recommend visiting the chapel when Sainte-Chapelle opens for smaller crowds. If you want the best photo light, choose the 9:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. time slots. No matter when you go, buy tickets ahead of time online.
Top 25 Reasons to Visit Sainte-Chapelle
1. Stained Glass Windows of the Lower Chapel
You will notice that the stained glass windows in the lower chapel are tiny compared to those in the upper chapel. However, they’re still beautiful and worth seeing. The windows are Gothic style, and the images are not as detailed as those of the stained glass windows on the upper level.
Like the windows in the upper chapel, they contain biblical scenes. Francois de Guilhermy designed them in the 19th century, and Steinheil made them. The originals were replaced in the 19th century since they were too damaged to restore.
When you arrive in the lower chapel, start on the left or right walls and work around the back, where you’ll find a statue of King Louis IX and a painting of the Annunciation.
2. Annunciation Painting In The Lower Chapel
Next, find the 13th-century wall painting of the Annunciation. It is the oldest painting in Paris. The Annunciation is the biblical story of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary of Nazareth to tell her she would conceive Jesus.
To find the painting, look to the left of the apse.
3. Statue of King Louis IX
At the back of the lower chapel, you will find the statue of King Louis IX, a Catholic patron responsible for its construction. As discussed earlier, he also purchased relics for the chapel, such as the Thorn of Crowns and a fragment of the True Cross.
King Louis IX was a devout king who incorporated religion into his political decisions and led several crusades to protect the Holy Land.
4. Gilded Buttresses in Saint-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle’s interior buttresses support the church’s vaults and are a grand form of Gotchic architectural innovation. The arches are ornately painted gold adjacent to a red border surrounding the predominantly dark blue ceiling.
Gold-colored lilies cover the ceiling in a perfectly uniform manner. While they look similar to stars, they should not be confused as such. In the upper chapel, stars represent the heavens and the Kingdom of God.
5. Medallion Paintings at Sainte-Chapelle
The lower chapel has 12 archatures with 44 medallion paintings and inlaid glass portraying martyrs like Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Sebastian. The detail of each medallion painting was astonishing, and each was different from the next.
6. Castles of Castile at Saint-Chapelle
The castles of Castile are painted on the columns to honor King Louis IX’s mother, Blanche of Castile. Walking through the upper chapel, you will find the same castle symbols on flooring tiles and the walls and columns of the upper chapel to show respect for Saint Louis’ mother.
Secret stairwell and Spiral Staircase
This doorway is the only way for tourists to reach the upper chapel. The door photoed below is from the upper chapel. A matching door connects the two chapels in the lower chapel. The wear from thousands of years is evident on the masonry steps.
The door is somewhat hard to find, and unless you notice others going in it, you might not see it. Hint: Look to the rear left corner of the lower chapel to find the door.
Pro Travel Tip
As you walk upstairs towards the upper chapel, keep your head down until you reach the chapel. Better yet, wait for those in your group to join you, and then all look up simultaneously. When we saw the stained glass windows for the first time, our group said, ” Oh my gosh,” “Ooh,” and “Ahh.”
Stained Glass Windows of The Upper Chapel
The upper chapel of St-Chapelle church is the most popular spot to take photos. It houses the iconic 15 stained glass windows. Each window tells a biblical story through 1,113 biblical scenes, starting with Genesis and ending with Christ’s Resurrection and the relic’s journey from Jerusalem to Satine-Chapelle in Paris, France.
The photos below show all 15 stained glass windows in the upper chapel, labeled 1 through 15. The first window is to the left and back of the church (on the north wall), which proceeds to Window 2, then Window 3, until you reach Window 15 on the back right of the church (the south wall), just before the Rose Window on the rear of the church (the west wall).
Windows 6 through 10 are at the very front of the church behind the Holy Thorn Reliquary. King Louis IX commissioned each window, which is original in design. Some windows have personal information about King Louis, such as his purchase of holy relics and scenes depicting his mother, Queen Blanche.
How to Read Saint-Chapelle’s Windows
Here are some pro tips on how to read biblical stories on the windows:
1. Windows are numbered 1 to 15, starting on the left side of the chapel (north side) when facing the apse.
2. Read windows from left to right and bottom to top.
3. Read Window 15 in a boustrophedon or serpentine manner. That is, in an S-shape from left to right and then right to left on the level above, working your way to the top of the window.
On the sides of each stained glass window stand life-sized sculptures of the twelve Apostles. Where I could, I attached a photo of the nearest apostle associated with that window, starting with the apostle to the left of Window 1.
When writing this travel guide, I haven’t found another site with photos of all 15 stained glass windows. Therefore, I wanted to include all 15 so that if you are visiting, you can become more familiar with them before you go and better understand the biblical stories associated with them.
7. Stained Glass Window 1 of Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 1 is on the north wall of the upper chapel. This is the first window you will come to in the series that makes up the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle.
When you come to the first window, study the apostle carvings to the left and right of the window.
The story: Book of Genesis
This stained glass window tells the biblical story of creation, in which God creates the heavens and earth. Also portrayed are Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, signifying the creation of humanity as the first man and woman.
The design
You will read Window 1 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shapes on Window 1 are circles.
The first apostle’s cloak is red, green, and gold. A Gothic chapel is over his head, and he holds what appears to be a candle in his right hand and a circular cross inlaid with blue in his left.
In the photos below, you can appreciate how detailed the stained glass window and apostle sculpture are and almost every aspect of the chapel, including the walls, mural, window frame, and columns.
8. Stained Glass Window 2 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 2 is on the north wall of the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle.
The story: Book of Exodus
This stained glass window depicts the Book of Exodus in the Bible. It represents the Israelite’s escape from Egypt and crossing of the Red Sea.
The design
As with Window 1, you will read Window 2 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shapes on Window 2 are diamonds.
Apostle number two rests between Windows 1 and 2. Like the other apostle sculptures, a Gothic chapel is over his head. He holds a staff in his left hand and a circular cross on a pedestal mount in his left, inlaid with blue.
His cloak is green, red, and gold. What’s most unique about this apostle is that he does not have a beard, unlike the other sculptures.
9. Stained Glass Window 3 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 3 is on the north wall of the upper chapel between Windows 2 and 4.
The story: Book of Numbers
This Sainte-Chapelle stained glass window tells the story of the Israelites’ march out of Egypt across the Red Sea, known as the Exodus. It was the moment God freed his people from slavery. The window also shows the coronation of the kings of Israel, which is shown 20 times.
Please pay close attention to Window 3 because it was the window King Louis IX sat under during Catholic mass.
The design
You will also read this window from bottom to top and left to right.
The third apostle in the upper chapel stands between Windows 2 and 3. He raises his right hand to bestow blessings, grace, and favor on others. The apostle holds a cross with a gold ring on a pedestal in his left hand and has a miniature Gothic chapel over his head.
10. Window 4 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 4 is on the north wall of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of Deuterotomy and Joshua
This stained glass window tells the story of Joshua, Moses’s successor. It also depicts the settlement of Jews in the Promised Land and has several scenes regarding idolatry.
The design
You will read Window 4 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shapes in Window 4 are vertical ellipses.
The fourth apostle holds his garment in his right hand and a staff in his left. Like the other apostles, he has a Gothic chapel over his head. This apostle sits between Windows 3 and 4.
11. Window 5 in Saint-Chapelle
Location
Window 5 is on the north wall of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of Judges
This stained glass window shows the story of Delilah and Samson, the dangers of temptation, and the consequences of breaking the law.
The design
Read Window 5 bottom to top and left to right. The fifth apostle stands between Windows 5 and 6 and holds a circular cross with both hands. He wears a gold and red robe over blue and gold garments and adorns a heavy beard.
12. Stained Glass Window 6 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 6 is on the east wall of the upper chapel behind the Crown of Thorns Reliquary.
The story: Book of Isaiah and the Tree of Jessee
This stained glass window depicts the longest prophetic book of the Bible, in which the tree of Jessee prophesizes Christ’s genealogy.
The design
Read Window 6 from bottom to top and left to right. The geometric shapes on Window 6 are squares.
13. Stained Glass Window 7 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 7 is on the east wall of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of St. John and the Childhood of Christ
This stained glass window in Sainte-Chapelle depicts Saint John as a prophet of the apocalypse. The windows also show scenes of Jesus playing as a child.
The design
Read this window from left to right and bottom to top. The biblical scenes on these windows are inside diamond and square lead frames.
14. Stained Glass Window 8 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 8 is on the east wall of the upper chapel and right behind the altar where the reliquary once stood.
The story: Christ’s Passion
This Sainte-Chapelle stained glass window is the most important in the chapel. It depicts Christ’s Passion from the Last Supper to Pentecost. The Crown of Thorns on Christ is also visible on this window.
The design
Read Window 8 from top to bottom and left to right. The lead frames around the biblical scenes are ellipses.
Below: Windows 6, 7, 8 (photo 1), and Windows 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (photo 2)
15. Stained Glass Window 9 Sainted-Chapelle
Location
Window 9 is on the east wall of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of John the Baptist and Daniel
On this Sainte-Chapelle stained glass window, John the Baptist prophesies the coming of Christ and discusses Daneil’s struggle with worshipping idols.
The design
You will read Window 9 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shapes on Window 9 are ellipses.
Sainte-Chapelle Window Facts
1. 33 meters long (108.3 feet) and 10.5 meters (34.4 feet) wide.
2. Approximately 70% original.
3. The Rose Window is 9 meters (29.5 feet) in diameter.
4. The colors used to make the stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle are yellow, green, purple, red and blue.
16. Stained Glass Window 10 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 10 is on the east wall of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of Ezekiel
Stained glass window 10 portrays Jerusalem’s destruction and God’s alliance with David.
The design
Read Window 10 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shapes on Window 10 are diamonds.
17. Window 11 in sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 11 is on the south wall of the upper chapel between Windows 10 and 12, and the fifth window is from the end of the back right of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of Jeremiah and Tobias
This stained glass window describes the fall of Jerusalem to idol worship. It’s said that this story was significant to King Louis IX.
The design
You will read Window 11 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shapes on Window 11 are circles, which include the biblical stains on this stained glass window in the upper chapel.
Apostle number eight sits between Windows 11 and 12. A Gothic chapel is over his head, and he holds a staff in his right hand and a circular cross in his left. His cloak is red, blue, and gold.
18. Window 12 in saint-Chapelle
Location
Window 12 is on the south wall of the upper chapel between Windows 11 and 13, and the fourth window from the end of the back right of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of Judith and Job
This stained glass window at Sainte-Chapelle depicts biblical scenes that predict the apocalypse. One scene shows a Jewish widow, Judith, saving the town of Bethulia from the Assyrians by beheading Holofernes Job. In another story, Job is agonized by Satan but never wavers from his faith in God.
The design
You will read Window 12 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shape of Window 12 is an oblong circle, or like an egg shape, with more biblical scenes and shapes between the eclipse-like image.
Apostle number nine sits on an octagonal pedestal between Windows 12 and 13. An elaborate miniature Gothic chapel is above his head, and he is barefoot. He’s holding a cross inside a gold circle with blue inlays in his left hand. He was holding something in his right hand, but I was uncertain what it was and could not find the answer in my research.
19. stained Glass Window 13
Location
Window 13 is on the south wall of the upper chapel between Windows 12 and 14, and the third window from the end of the back right of the upper chapel.
The story: Book of Esther
Esther is a biblical heroine who sits above Saint Louis’ mother, Queen Castile Blanche. In the background, you’ll see the Queen Mother’s homeland, Castiles.
In this stained glass window, Esther and the Queen Mother are paralleled. Like Esther, who saves her people from the Persian Prince Haman, Queen Blanche saves her kingdom for her son, King Louis IX.
The design
You will read Window 13 from left to right and bottom to top. The geometric shape of Window 13 is an oblong circle, or like an egg shape, with more biblical scenes and shapes between the eclipse-like image.
Apostle number ten on a wooden pedestal between Windows 13 and 14. A Gothic chapel hovers over his head, and he carries a staff in his right hand. In his left hand, he holds a cross with blue inlays. He has bare feet.
20. Window 14 in Saint-Chapelle
Location
Window 14 is on the south wall of the upper chapel, the second window from the end of the right
The story: Book of Kings
Window 14 depicts scenes from four books of the Bible: Kings I, II, Samuel I, and II. See if you can find images of the Kings of Israel, including David, Soloman, and Saul.
The design
You will read Window 14 left to right and bottom to top. One of the main differences between Window 14 and other windows is the shape of the lead that holds the glass around each biblical scene. The geometric shape is similar to a circle but inverted at eight points.
Apostle 11 stands between Windows 14 and 15. He holds a staff in his left hand and a cross in his right. There’s a miniature Gothic chapel that hovers over his head with colors of blue, red, and gold. He has bare feet.
21. Window 15 in Sainte-Chapelle
Location
Window 15 is on the south wall of the upper chapel. It’s the very last window in the series. If you decide to study one window more than others, I would choose Window 15 or Window 8.
The story: Legend of the True Cross and Relics
Window 15 has only 26 of the original 67 scenes and presents Saint Louis as a successor to the biblical rulers. It portrays the journey of the holy relics, including the True Cross purchased by King Louis IX, from Jerusalem to Paris. The story goes that they were initially from Jeruselum and then owned by Saint Helana, the mother of the emperor of Constantine I.
The relics include the True Cross and Crown of Thorns. These sacred relics next traveled to Byzantium (present-day Turkey), where Saint Louis purchased them and sold them to Sainte-Chapelle.
The design
You’ll read Windows 15 differently than Windows 1 through 14. Read window 15 in a boustrophedon or a serpentine manner. That is, in an S-shape from left to right and then right to left on the level above, working your way to the top of the window.
The apostle to the right of Window 15 holds a staff in his right hand, a cross in his left, and no shoes. A Gothic chapel sits above his head. When you enter the chapel from the front, you’ll find this apostle in the right-back corner of the upper chapel.
22. Rose Window
Location
The location is the east end of the upper chapel, called the apse.
The story
The Rose Window depicts the Last Judgement with Christ surrounded by angels, saints, and symbols from the apocalypse. Christ is seen in the oculus, or the eye of the rose, with a sword that pierces his mouth. At His feet is St. John, who receives revelations from Christ. Two of the four horsemen are seen to represent famine and death.
The design
The current Rose Window, which replaced the original 13th-century window, is from the 15th century. Its flamboyant Gothic style is more complex and ornate than traditional Gothic windows, with flowing, flame-like patterns around the Rose Window.
The Rose Window depicts the Last Judgement, with Christ surrounded by angels and saints. It also shows symbols from the apocalypse. The design represents cosmic harmony and order.
23. Floor Tiles in the Upper Chapel
While everyone was busy snapping photos of the stained glass windows, I noticed these fantastic medieval tiles. These are 19th-century reproductions, and my favorite is the red-outlined castle.
The castle symbol resembles those found in the lower chapel and is likely a tribute to King Louis’ mother, Blanche of Castile. The tiles’ symbols include birds, wolves, deer, boar, and the castle.
23. Ceiling in the Upper Chapel
The vaulted ceiling in the upper chapel has golden arches and is painted a deep navy blue with stars resembling the heavens. The ceiling symbolizes the Kingdom of God and connects worshipers and the divine above.
25. Holy Thorn Reliquary at Saint Chapelle
The Holy Thorn Reliquary is possibly the most ornate fixture inside the church. It held the Crown of Thorns, which King Louis IX purchased from Baldwin II, emperor of Constantinople, who needed money. King Louis IX paid 3 times more for the Crown of Thorns than he spent building Sainte-Chapelle.
Sainte-Chapelle held several Christian relics, including the Blood of Christ and a Fragment of the Cross.
Crown of Thorns Timeline
1. The Crown was kept at Saint-Chapelle until the French Revolution
2. It was moved to Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1806
3. The Crown of Thorns moved to the Louvre in 2019 after the Notre-Dame fire (it survived the fire because it was in a fireproof safe)
4. In 2024, moved back to Notre-Dame de Paris
Getting There
Address: The Sainte-Chapelle is at 10 Boulevard du Palais, Paris, on the Île de la Cité, in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
Use the map below to locate Sainte-Chapelle in France, just off Boulevard du Palais. If you’re staying somewhere in Paris, that’s further than a walk away, getting an Uber is easy, and that’s what we did.
How Much Does it Cost?
In 2025, the cost to enter Sainte-Chapelle will be about $13 (€11.50) when you purchase tickets directly through the site. This price is self-guided. Children under 18 from outside the European Union are free, and persons from the European Union, ages 18 to 25, are also free.
Pro Travel Tip
Buy your Sainte-Chapelle and Concergerie tickets simultaneously and save money. Both tickets cost about $19.50 (€18.50) for adults.
If tickets sell out, the next place to check is Get Your Guide or Viator. Both vendors charge a little more since they’re simply reselling the tickets you can buy on Sainte-Chapelle’s website.
Your third option is to buy them in person, but this is not recommended because if they sell out of tickets, you won’t be able to get in. Groups larger than eight people require reservations.
Pro Travel Tip
Want to see Sainte-Chapelle for free? The historic monument is free on European Heritage Days. This includes the third weekend of September and the first Sunday from January 1 to March 31 and November 1 to December 31. Even if you have free access or a Passion Monument/Paris Musée card, you must reserve a time slot ahead of time.
When Is Sainte-Chapelle Open?
Sainte-Chapelle is open every day except January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Hours differ by season:
• April 1 – September 30: 9 am to 7 pm
• October 1 – March 31: 9 am to 5 pm
People visiting the church with a ticket and time slot get priority entry. The last time you can enter the church is 30 minutes before closing. When we went in the spring of 2024, we were the first ones there, so we didn’t wait, but it’s not unusual to have to wait a half hour or more to get entry.
Best Time To Go
Here is some advice if you want to choose the best times to see Sainte-Chapelle:
• Time of day: Go early to avoid lines, with opening time being the best time slot (9 am)
• Time of Year: Visit in April and June when the weather is best and there are not too many people.
• Day of week: Weekdays are slower, with Tuesdays and Thursdays having the least amount of tourists
• Sunlight: For the best pictures and experience, go on a day with full sun to appreciate the stained glass windows
• Fewer crowds: The off-season is from November through March if you want to see fewer people
Tours of Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle offers several tour options, including remotely guided, private, self-guided, and non-private guided tours.
Guided tours: These take place daily from 11 am to 3 pm. You can also tour the adjacent Conciergerie (former royal palace and cell of Mary Antoinette)
Self-guided tour: This tour provides a booklet and access to the Sainte-Chapelle app, which you can use as an audio guide for a nominal fee.
Private tour: Most private tours include visits to Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame, and Conciergerie. Costs vary from season to season, but tickets were around $80 when we were there. To go to the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle and skip Notre-Dame costs about $62.
How We Did Sainte-Chapelle
We bought our tickets through Sainte-Chapelle and chose the 9:00 a.m. time slot. Next time we go, we’d like to take the tour. I recommend taking a private tour if you have time and are willing to spend more.
Local knowledge can be invaluable, and it’s always great to hear the stories that make a place unique from the people who live there. We didn’t go on a sunny day, but the weather can be hard to predict. For the best photos, visit Sainte-Chapelle more than once to increase your chances of going on a sunny day.
Do you have children? My kids were amazed by the windows, and as soon as we reached the upper chapel, all you heard were oohs and ahs. Don’t be intimidated by visiting the church with children. They’ll likely love it as mine did.
Lastly, consider going to the Conciergerie Museum in Paris after visiting Sainte-Chapelle. It’s right next door, and hopefully, since you are a savvy traveler, you will have already bought tickets for both historic places simultaneously.
Thanks for reading our Sainte-Chapelle travel guide! I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. If you have questions about my 14-day trip to France or seeing the best stained glass in Paris, France, at Sainte Chapelle, please use the comments section below.
Book Your Trip Sainte-Chapelle: Tips & Advice
Book Your Flight
Our favorite places to start looking for places to book flights are Google Flights and Skyscanner. They search all flights worldwide, so you only have to use one site to find the best deals.
Book Accommodations
Our family uses VRBO, Airbnb, and Booking.com when we need to book hotels or lodging beforehand.
Book Guided Tours
Both Get Your Guide and Viator offer informative tours of the places we travel to. They provide local guides and adventurous travel activities.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is critical to protect against baggage loss, medical expenses, trip cancellations, theft, and other potential problems.
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