More like a precious gem than a house of worship, Sainte-Chapelle is considered one the greatest architectural achievements of the Western world: the soaring stained-glass windows in this small chapel are perhaps the greatest in Christendom.

The chapel was built by Louis IX (later St. Louis) in 1245 to house relics of the Crucifixion—the crown of thorns, a vial of Christ's blood, splinters from the cross, and a nail—that the king procured from the Byzantine emperor. The chapel can scarcely be said to have walls as such: only thin ribs of stone separate the towering windows of colored glass, which portray over 1,000 Biblical stories in a kaleidoscope of color. The light on a sunny day dances through the windows, making the chapel a jewel box of color. The effect is breathtaking.

There are actually two stories in Sainte-Chapelle. The lower chapel was designated for the use of the king's servants, while the upper floor, with the stunning stained glass, was reserved for the royal family and their guests.

You should definitely plan to see Sainte-Chapelle in daylight, in order to marvel at the soaring stained glass. However, Sainte-Chapelle is frequently the site of evening concerts, and there are few more atmospheric places for a soirée of classical music. By the way, the Sainte-Chapelle relics are now preserved in the treasury of Notre Dame.

4 boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris
(33) 1.43.54.30.09
Fax: (33) 1.40.51.70.36