Sainte Chapelle: Complete Visitor Guide with Tickets, Hours, and Stained Glass Wonders

A jewel of Gothic architecture, Sainte-Chapelle is a must-visit in Paris. Step inside to marvel at its breathtaking stained-glass windows, which depict intricate biblical scenes in vibrant colors. Pre-book your tickets to avoid long queues and to make the most of your visit.

Sainte Chapelle in Paris was built to house priceless Christian relics, including the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ.

Known as the Holy Chapel, it features 15 stained glass windows, each 15 meters (49 feet) high. Together, they depict more than 1100 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, narrating the world’s history.

Though its primary purpose was to serve as a royal chapel and a repository for King Louis IX’s collection of holy relics, Saint Chapelle holds great religious significance for believers, attracting over a million visitors annually.

This article covers everything you must know before booking Sainte Chapelle tickets.

Top Tickets

# Combination ticket to Sainte-Chapelle + Conciergerie
# Sainte-Chapelle + Notre-Dame Cathedral + Conciergerie
# Île de la Cité + River Cruise + Sainte-Chapelle

It’s highly recommended to book your Sainte Chapelle tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

Key takeaways

Built in less than 7 years, Saint Chapelle is known for its remarkable stained-glass windows comprising over 6500 individual pieces of glass

You can choose from various ticket options, including standard entry, guided tours, and combination tickets with nearby attractions like the Conciergerie and a Seine River cruise

A popular option is the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie combo ticket, allowing access to both sites. Enrich your visit to the Conciergerie with a HistoPad, a digital guide with 3D reconstructions

Arrive early in the morning or mid-week for a peaceful experience. Visiting at sunset also offers breathtaking lighting through the stained glass

Another unique opportunity to enjoy the chapel’s ambiance is by attending classical music concerts anytime from March to December. Download the “Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass” app to gain deeper insights into the chapel’s artwork and history

What’s ahead

Things to know before booking tickets

You can book Sainte Chapelle tickets online or at the venue.

However, purchasing at the attraction may involve long wait times, especially during peak hours.

Online tickets help you skip the lines, are often cheaper, and allow you to choose a preferred time slot in advance. Booking online also ensures availability and avoids any disappointment on the day of your visit.

After the purchase, tickets are emailed to you, and you can enter by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone—no printouts needed.

Can you get married at Saint Chapelle?
Unfortunately, Sainte-Chapelle does not host weddings for the public. As a national monument managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, it is preserved for historical and cultural visits rather than private events.

Sainte Chapelle tickets—which is best for you?

Discover the grandeur of the French monarchy at one of Paris’s most treasured landmarks.

From standard entry tickets to guided tours and combo passes with nearby attractions, there are plenty of options to fit your schedule.

Visitors under 18 years and regularized non-European residents on French territory aged between 18 and 25 years, French jobseekers & disabled visitors and their carers get free entry.

Here are some of the best ways to visit Sainte-Chapelle.

Combo entry tickets for Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie

If you are looking for the cheapest and most popular option, then the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie combination ticket is your go-to.

This one-day ticket offers you the flexibility to access these two iconic Parisian monuments.

Choose a time slot for Sainte-Chapelle to admire its stunning stained-glass windows and Gothic beauty.

Visit the Conciergerie, a former revolutionary prison, and explore its medieval and revolution-era rooms.

You can enhance your experience with the HistoPad, a multilingual digital tool with 3D reconstructions and augmented reality.

With this HistoPad, you’ll be able to see the historic court as it once was and get a detailed recreation of the last queen of France – Marie Antoinette’s cell.

Ticket Price (18+ years): €20

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Guided tour of Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, and Notre Dame

This guided walking tour on Île de la Cité offers an immersive journey through Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the historic Conciergerie.

You’ll start by exploring the island’s rich history and culture with a professional local guide who brings to life the stories of Paris’s past, including the tragic fire at Notre Dame.

With pre-reserved tickets, you’ll gain easy access to Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie, once a royal palace turned into a revolutionary prison.

You’ll conclude your journey by walking past Paris’s oldest public clock and taking in the scenic views of the River Seine.

Ticket Prices

Adult (18+ years): €93
Youth (9 to 17 years):
€89
Children (3 to 8 years):
€84
Infants (up to 2 years): Free

Saint Chapelle v/s Notre Dame
While both are on the Île de la Cité in Paris, they are separate landmarks. Sainte-Chapelle was built as a royal chapel for King Louis IX’s relics, whereas Notre Dame served as the Archbishop’s cathedral.

Île de la Cité, Cruise and Sainte-Chapelle combo tour

Book this combo for a more comprehensive Parisian experience that includes a visit to Sainte Chapelle along with a scenic cruise.

In just three hours, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Île de la Cité, marvel at the bell towers of Notre Dame, and explore the Latin Quarter.

Skip the line to visit the stunning Sainte Chapelle and see the Conciergerie.

Finish your adventure with a relaxing River Seine cruise through the soul of the city.

Ticket Prices

Adult (15+ years): €59
Children (2 to 14 years):
€54
Infants (up to 2 years):
Free

Fun Facts
Notre Dame Cathedral served as the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s famous novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, bringing to life the story of Quasimodo, the lonely bell-ringer.

Opening hours

Sainte Chapelle opens daily at 9 am. During the peak season of April to September, the attraction closes at 7 pm, and during the lean season of October to March, it closes at 5 pm.

Every day from 1 pm to 2.15 pm, Sainte Chapelle shuts down for lunch.

The chapel remains closed on Jan 1, May 1, and December 25.

Duration of visit

The tour of Saint Chapelle takes around 30 to 60 minutes.

As the tickets are not timed, visitors can stay as long as they want.

Begin in the Lower Chapel, where you’ll first see the starry night sky ceiling upon entering.

From there, climb the spiral staircase to the Upper Chapel, once reserved for royalty. You’ll be amazed by the 40-meter (131-feet) high ceiling and 600 square meters of stained glass.

There are 15 large stained-glass windows and a rose window, added 100 years later, which shimmer beautifully in sunlight.

Final judgment prophecy
The rose window, known as a “wall of light,” depicts scenes from the Book of Revelation. This colorful masterpiece illustrates the end-times prophecy, with God on his throne holding the Book of the Seven Seals and Saint John and the Seven Churches of Asia at Christ’s feet.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Sainte-Chapelle is when it opens at 9 am, allowing for a leisurely exploration with minimal crowds.

Sunset is another beautiful time to visit, but it can be crowded. Sunset times vary, around 4 pm in winter and 9.30 pm in summer.

A sunny weekday morning is also ideal, as sunlight streams through the stained glass and crowds are sparse.

Thursdays are typically the busiest. Avoid visiting during peak times like the weekends of July 14 and August 15.

From May 15 to September 15, Sainte-Chapelle stays open until 9.30 pm on Wednesdays, offering a peaceful evening visit.

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Best time for photography

Visit the Holy Chapel about an hour before sunset to capture the light through the windows as the sun sets.

If sunset isn’t possible, choose a sunny morning.

Avoid midday when the sun is overhead, as the light won’t enter at an angle.

Flash photography is prohibited, so relying on natural light is better.

Enhance your experience with the app
Download the “Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass” app on your smartphone or tablet before your visit to unlock the stories and mysteries behind the chapel’s famous stained glass windows. Let the app guide you as sunlight illuminates each vibrant biblical scene, bringing history to life in a kaleidoscope of color.

Dress code for Sainte Chapelle

There is no specific dress code for Sainte-Chapell. However, it is a religious place, and visitors must dress modestly.

Halter tops, shorts above the knee, t-shirts showing cleavage, hats, etc., aren’t recommended.

Also, it is better to avoid t-shirts with offensive graphics and texts such as “I hate God” or “I am GOD!”

Sainte Chapelle concerts

Every year from mid-March to mid-December, Sainte Chapelle hosts classical concerts regularly.

Euromusic Productions produces these musical extravaganzas, and you can buy the concert tickets from the ticket office at the entrance of Sainte-Chapelle.

The ticket office is open from 10 am to 5 pm on the day of the concert.

Note: Holy Chapel’s concert is at night, and you can find more information here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions visitors usually ask before visiting Sainte Chapelle.

Can I buy Sainte Chapelle tickets at the gate?

Yes, you can purchase tickets at the entrance, but be prepared to stand in long queues. To avoid such troubles, it is better to book online tickets.

What are the items prohibited inside Sainte Chapelle?

Visitors are not allowed to bring items such as motorcycle helmets, aerosols, knives, forks, sharp objects, scissors, glass bottles, bulky luggage/bags, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.

Can you get into Sainte-Chapelle for free?

The Sainte Chapelle in Paris allows free entry on the first Sunday of every month. Visitors under 18 and European Union residents younger than 25 can enter without tickets if they show a valid ID card with a photograph or official proof of residence.

Can I use the Paris Museum Pass to get free entry to Sainte Chapelle?

Yet another way to enter Sainte Chapelle for free (well, almost) is by buying one of the Paris discount Passes. The Paris Museum Pass helps you save money and time (because you can skip the line at most places). Buying the pass makes sense if you are planning to visit Paris for over three days. The Paris Museum Pass helps skip the line at Sainte Chapelle, and the access is also free.

When was Sainte Chapelle built?

The Sainte Chapelle of Paris was one of the highest achievements of the Rayonnant Gothic architecture period. Construction began after 1238, and the building was consecrated on 26 April 1248.

Who built Sainte Chapelle?

King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis) commissioned the construction of Sainte Chapelle. Historians believe that the King commissioned the chapel to architect Pierre of Montreuil.

Why was Sainte Chapelle built?

Sainte Chapelle was built for King Louis IX of France to house his passion relics, which he had purchased from Baldwin II, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople. These Passion relics included the Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross, the image of Edessa, and some thirty other items. At the time of the deal, the Latin Emperor had pawned these relics to a Venetian Bank. They were retrieved and sold to the French King for 135,000 Livres. Interestingly, the construction of the Holy Chapel itself cost only about one-third of this price (40,000 Livres).

What happened to the relics in the church?

Many of Sainte-Chapelle’s relics were moved to the Notre Dame Cathedral in 1804 for safekeeping, and some were lost or dispersed during the French Revolution. Today, the Crown of Thorns remains preserved at Notre Dame (though it was saved during the 2019 fire and is stored safely elsewhere).

When is the last entry at Sainte Chapelle?

The last entry to the Chapelle is 30 minutes before the closing time.

Are strollers allowed inside Sainte Chapelle?

Yes, you can bring strollers, but they must be small and foldable to fit into the X-ray screening machines. Strollers are not allowed in the upper chapel.

What day is Sainte-Chapelle closed?

Sainte Chapelle in Paris remains closed on the 1st of January, the 1st of May, and the 25th of December.

What is the waiting time at the Sainte Chapelle on the first Sunday of every month?

Since the Chapelle provides free entry on the first Sunday of every month, the waiting time on such days is around 45 minutes or more.

How to reach

The Sainte Chapelle is located in Palais de la Cité, the medieval royal palace on Ile de la Cité, an island in the Seine.

It is half a kilometer (one-third of a mile) from Notre Dame.

Address: 8, Boulevard du Palais, 750001. Get Directions. You can reach the monument by using public or private transport.

Paris is known for its iconic landmarks, but just outside the city lies the Palace of Versailles, a symbol of grandeur and history.

Photo of author
Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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