Sainte-Chapelle in Parijs
Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

Sainte-Chapelle in Paris: is it worth a visit?

March 19, 2025 Citie to Travel Comments Off

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. The huge stained-glass windows are especially impressive. This was once the private chapel of the French royal family, and it shows. But is it worth visiting? In this blog we tell you what to expect and share practical tips for your visit.

The Sainte-Chapelle: The most beautiful church in Paris

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is often called the most beautiful church in the city, and for good reason. As soon as you step inside, the huge stained glass windows immediately catch your eye. Especially when the sun shines inside, it is truly magical to see. The chapel was built in the 13th century by order of King Louis IX. He wanted a special place to keep his holy relics, such as Christ’s crown of thorns.

The Sainte-Chapelle served as the private chapel of the French royal family, and they invested heavily in it. This is still reflected in the beautiful Gothic style and impressive details. You will find this extraordinary chapel in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, near Notre-Dame and the Conciergerie.

What to see at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is a beautiful chapel best known for its impressive stained-glass windows. When you’re there, there’s all kinds of things to see:

1 The stained glass windows: Giant colorful windows that tell stories from the Bible. Especially when the sun shines, this creates a magical play of light.

2 The upper chapel: This is where important relics used to be kept, such as Christ’s crown of thorns. It is richly decorated and really an eye-catcher.

3 The lower chapel: A bit simpler, but also beautiful with painted pillars and ceilings in blue and gold.

4 Magnificent details: Everywhere you see statues, decorations and Gothic elements that give the chapel a fairytale atmosphere.

5 The Rose Window: A large round window with scenes from Revelation, definitely worth taking a moment to contemplate.
A visit to the Sainte-Chapelle is truly special. All the colorful glass and impressive details make you feel for a moment as if you are stepping back in time.

1. The stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle

One of the most beautiful sights in the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris are the impressive stained-glass windows. In the upper chapel, you see almost no walls, just tall, colorful Gothic-style windows. These windows tell famous stories from the Bible, from the Old to the New Testament.

Remarkably, two-thirds of the glass is still original and dates back to the 13th century. During World War II, the windows were carefully removed to prevent damage. Fortunately, they were then perfectly reinstalled and today you can still enjoy this ancient splendor. Once the sunlight falls through the glass, the chapel turns into a magical play of colors.

2. The upper chapel of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

The upper chapel is without a doubt the most beautiful part of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Of course, the impressive stained-glass windows immediately catch the eye, but there is much more to see.

At one time, this room was accessible only to the king and his court. Important relics were kept here, including Christ’s crown of thorns. The ornate columns, richly decorated ceiling and colorful paintings make the chapel a real eye-catcher. Everything exudes history and royal grandeur, making you feel like you’re back in the Middle Ages for a moment.

3. The lower chapel of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

The lower chapel of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris feels very different from the richly decorated upper chapel. It is a lot simpler, but certainly no less beautiful. The low ceiling is dark blue and decorated with gold stars, as if you were standing under a night sky. The pillars are decorated with the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of French kings.

This chapel was for the king’s staff and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. A few clergymen were also buried here. Their tombstones are still there and give the space something reverent and intimate.

4. Magnificent details of the Sainte-Chapelle in paris

What makes the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris so special are the many little details you find throughout. In addition to the impressive stained-glass windows, the chapel is richly decorated with statues, colorful patterns and gold accents. Everywhere you see symbols of the French royal family, such as the fleur-de-lis.

The vaults, pillars and ornate arches are finished down to the smallest corners. Even the ceiling is a work of art in itself. All these details combine to make the chapel feel like a fairy tale, and you keep discovering new things as you walk around.

5. The rose window of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

One of the most beautiful eye-catchers in the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is the impressive rose window. This large round window adorns the west side of the chapel and is full of color and detail. The glass depicts several scenes from the Bible’s book of Revelation. The longer you look, the more details you discover. Especially when the sun shines in, the rose window really comes alive and you can only see how special it is made.

What makes the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris so special?

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is truly an extraordinary church, mainly because of its beautiful stained glass windows. Almost the entire chapel is made of glass, making it seem as if the walls have disappeared. The colorful light that falls inside creates a magical atmosphere.

What makes this place extra special is that much of the glass is still original and dates back to the 13th century. This is truly unique. Many visitors find the Sainte-Chapelle even more beautiful than the famous Notre-Dame, precisely because of that special light and color experience.

Tickets to the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

Would you like to visit the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris? Then it’s smart to book tickets in advance. The chapel is popular and especially in high season the queues can be long.

Tickets are easily purchased online. This allows you to choose a time slot and avoid long waits.

Children under 18 are usually allowed in for free, as are EU residents under 26. So don’t forget to bring your ID!

Where is the Sainte-Chapelle located?

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is right in the historic heart of the city, on the Île de la Cité. This island in the Seine is also where you will find the famous Notre-Dame.
You can find the Sainte-Chapelle at the following address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France

The chapel is located on the grounds of the former royal palace and right next to the Palais de Justice. It is a wonderful place to visit while walking through the old center of Paris.

Opening hours of the Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris can be visited almost year-round. The chapel is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Please note that last admission is usually 30 minutes before closing time. On January 1, May 1 and December 25, the Sainte-Chapelle is closed.

It is convenient to go early in the day so that you have quiet time to view everything and enjoy the most beautiful light through the stained glass windows.

Our opinion: is a visit to the Sainte-Chapelle worthwhile?

We visited the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and were really impressed. The stained glass windows are especially beautiful and create a magical effect, especially when the sun shines inside. It is almost unbelievable that so much of the original glass is still from the 13th century. You keep looking around and discovering new details all the time.

What we found less is that it was quite crowded inside. At times it was difficult to really walk around quietly or take a picture without other people on it. Still, we found it absolutely worth it. The atmosphere, the colors and the history make this place very special. Highly recommended as far as we are concerned if you are in Paris!

Our tips for your visit to the Sainte-Chapelle

After our visit to the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, we have a few helpful tips to make your visit even more enjoyable:

1. Arrive early in the day

We noticed it got crowded quickly later in the day. If you go early, you can look around in peace and enjoy the stained glass windows without too many people around you.

2. Buy your tickets in advance online

We were glad we bought our tickets in advance. That way we could skip the long queue and go right in. Especially in high season, that really saves a lot of time.

3. Take time to look up

It may sound obvious, but we caught ourselves looking mostly at the windows. Don’t forget to look closely at the ceiling and the details of the pillars as well – there is so much beauty hidden in there!

Special offers for a city break to Paris

Are you going on a city break to Paris and would like to visit some famous sights and attractions? Then take advantage of the offers below! That way you can make the most of your trip and save on entrance fees.