Address: 8, Boulevard du Palais, Paris 1
Metro: Cite
Hours: See Below
Phone: 01 53 40 60 80
Fees: €8,50. Free for under 18.

Sainte Chapelle, located at Ile de la Cité, is a gorgeous Gothic Church, and a must see if time permits.  This church along with Conciergerie are the only remains of the Capetian royal palace that once stood at Ile de la cite.

St. Chapelle was built in 1248 by the order of Louis IX for storing the Crown of Thorns. Sainte Chapelle is actually divided into two churches. The lower church was for the court servants and lower officials whereas the upper church was to cater to the royal family.



There are 15 stained glass windows almost 50 feet high inside Sainte Chapelle which tell biblical stories from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Out of theses glasses about 2/3 are originals. At the lower chapel you will find an Annunciation which is the oldest mural of Paris.

During the French Revolution the church was badly damaged with the exception of some of the windows.

Viollet-le-Duc, a French architect, was the person responsible for restoring the church to its former grandeur and beauty.

Sainte Chapelle is within walking distance to Conciergerie and Notre Dame de Paris.

Opening Hours:

From January 2 to February 29: open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm / 2:15 pm – 5:00 pm. Tuesdays from 9:00 am – 12:45 pm / 2:15 pm – 5:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. From July 1st to August 31st: Everyday except Wednesday from 9:30 am – 6 pm and Wednesdays from 2:15 pm – 9:30 pm. From November 1st to December 31st: Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.