Sainte-Chapelle
Gothic Masterpiece

Everything you need to know
about Sainte-Chapelle

One of the most beautiful interiors on earth — and one of the best-kept secrets in Paris. Sainte-Chapelle, hidden inside the Palais de Justice on the Île de la Cité, was built in just six years (1242–1248) by Louis IX to house a relic of the Crown of Thorns. What he created is a Gothic masterpiece of extraordinary audacity: 15 floor-to-ceiling windows containing 1,113 stained-glass panels from the 13th century.

The upper chapel is the highlight — when sunlight streams through the windows, the entire space is transformed into a kaleidoscope of coloured light that is unlike anything else in the world. Most tourists walk past the entrance without realising it's there. Those who go inside never forget it.

Highlights & inclusions

What you'll find inside

Getting there & what to know

Tips & recommendations

• →Visit on a sunny morning when the light is at its best through the windows — afternoon light is less dramatic.
• →The upper chapel is relatively small — come early to avoid crowds.
• →Combine with the Conciergerie (Marie-Antoinette's prison) next door — combo tickets available.
• →Photography is allowed — the coloured light effects are spectacular without a flash.