Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsChurches & Cathedrals
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Sainte-Chapelle is the finest royal chapel to be built in France and features a truly exceptional collection of stained-glass windows. It was built in the mid 13th century by Louis IX, at the heart of the royal residence, the Palais de la Cité. It was built to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. Adorned with a unique collection of fifteen glass panels and a large rose window forming a veritable wall of light,the Sainte-Chapelle is a gem of French Gothic architecture. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open:> 1st March to 31st October: Monday to Friday: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.45 a.m. and to 2.15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.> 1st November to 29th February: Monday to Friday: from 9 a.m. to 12.45 a.m. and to 2.15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. The best time to visit is in the morning from Tuesday to Friday. Closed:> 1st January, 1st May and 25th December and in case of negative temperatures.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Admission tickets
from S$29.85
All you need to step foot in the door.
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ile de la Cité / Ile Saint-Louis
Two islands sit in the middle of the Seine at the very heart of Paris. The more majestic one, Ile de la Cité, sparkles with history. This is the birthplace of Paris, the home of the Gothic Sainte-Chapelle, and the site of the prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution. Tourists flock to see the iconic Notre Dame and the beautiful bridges that straddle the Seine. Ile Saint-Louis, the more provincial island, welcomes you with cozy traditional eateries, small boutiques, and what some people say is the best ice cream in the city. This is essential Paris from its very beginnings to its modern appeal.
How to get there
  • Cité • 3 min walk
  • St-Michel – Notre-Dame • 3 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Ana V
    Eugene, Oregon610 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The most beautiful holy place in Paris
    The stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle is like no other. The panels tell the stories in the Bible in great detail. It wish they sold a book with detail of the panels because you can't really see it from ground level. This will be one of your most memorable experiences.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 7 April 2023
  • lalida_art
    Bangkok, Thailand28 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    The Stained glasses is really stunning. For entry, you should buy ticket online in advance and reserve time to entry. Otherwise the queue for buy ticket there is really long. Also, Don't be here too early from your reserved time, since you have to wait in line until like 10 mins before your time then security will let you in.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 24 April 2023
  • FamilyTime1431
    Weare, New Hampshire97 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see in Paris, just be sure to get in the correct line.
    Once we navigated the terrible line and queueing area and got inside, it was great. They have no signage indicating where to line up to get in, so they just mixed people who needed tickets with people who already had them. All that aside, the stained glass was amazing, a must see in Paris.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 30 April 2023
  • beachlovernc2015
    Leland, North Carolina1,948 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Prepare for crowds and security checks- But worth the visit!
    The exterior of this building does not give you any idea of the amazing interior. At first entering you may be underwhelmed as you are seeing some stained glass windows which are lovely but small and some interesting artefacts and history of the place plus the book shop. Don't be deceived- you must go up the spiral staircase to see the most amazing and huge windows. There are cards explaining the story behind each window - those in English hard to come by OR you can just walk around and enjoy their beauty on your own. Even though this is a relatively large space, when packed with people it can be a bit difficult to take a good picture or not get jostled. Pack your patience !!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 May 2023
  • poltor
    Toronto, Canada224 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning ceilings!
    Stunning ceilings and history. Amazing stained glass and wood carvings. A short walk from the Louvre. Free access with the Paris Museum Pass. Arrive in the early morning or late afternoon yo avoid the crowds.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 May 2023
  • FedoraOnTour
    Sidcup, United Kingdom211 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    ILLUMINATING!
    Do not miss this - built to hold the relics belonging to the Royal family. It has magnificent stain glass windows. Make sure you visit BOTH levels. An hour should cover this - it is near Notre Dame - well worth the visit
    Visited May 2023
    Written 31 May 2023
  • Bob G
    Middletown, Maryland144 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Georgeous!
    I made the mistake of not purchasing skip-the-line tickets, so had to wait a while to gain entrance. This church and its magnificent stain glass windows is not to be missed, simply extraordinary! It is hard to believe such a beautiful structure was completed in the 1200's.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 11 June 2023
  • Glenn40768
    Tampa, Florida7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazingly beautiful!!
    Book an early timeslot and use a Paris Museum Pass to beat the crowds and lines. But the stained glass there is breathtaking. We used the Rick Steves Paris book as a guide here and it worked great.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 26 June 2023
  • Katie H
    36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking!
    Absolutely breathtaking! I visited with my partner whilst on a trip to Paris recently and it is so hard to express hpw beautiful this place is! I would definitely recommend a visit to anyone who is going to Paris! It was definitely a highlight of our trip! We got there early and it was already very busy so my tip would be to go first thing or last thing in the day. I gather there are concerts held at Sainte-Chapelle on some evenings. Unfortunately, none were scheduled during our time in Paris but I would imagine that would be a fantastic experience!
    Visited July 2023
    Written 10 July 2023
  • nctraveler315
    Winston Salem, North Carolina169 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    Absolutely stunning! It does get crowded. We purchased a combined ticket for Sainte- Chapell and Concergerie. Get the earliest timed entry ticket you can as the lines are long. We booked the earliest entry, and on arrival 30 minutes before our time the line was fairly long with others who had a 9:00 ticket. We were told the doors don't actually open until 9:30 but the 9:00 tickets would be admitted first. We did use the audio guide but be aware it has options for "extended detail" and they are very detailed. The windows are incredible telling the entire Bible story from beginning to end. We stayed about an hour and it was getting crowded when we left.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles27,967 reviews
Excellent
21,075
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Poor
343
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Alice M
Boston, MA57 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
This is a gorgeous cathedral and has always been one of my favorites in Paris. However, with Notre Dame being closed, the lines to get in here have gotten out of control. You must buy a ticket in advance! If you did not and are reading this review standing in a long “no ticket line” then I have a tip for you! Go next door to the Conciergerie and buy a “combo ticket” for both attractions. Then you can go back to the Chapelle and enter straight away (or with whatever time slot is being allowed to go in). It’s a massive loop hole and worked like a charm for me. The Conciergerie is also a nice attraction and worth seeing as well so be sure to see both - especially if you paid for it!

That being said, once your ticket is checked for the Chapelle you still have to go through security which is a massive pain and is a different unavoidable line. Lots of attractions in Paris have intense security but something about this one is terribly inefficient and slow. It needs to be addressed by management.
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tor A R
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Business
If you like Gothic architecture, then Sainte Chapelle is a must when you visit Paris. Incredibly well preserved, a magical place, which keeps intact for centuries, some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in France. A Bible in stained glass, a gem in stone ! It's worth a visit. Reservation required.
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

maithecampbell
Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands11 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Tickets with time slot go first. Who wants to buy ticket at the entrance needs to wait and is a long queue. With small children I recommend just buy the ticket on your phone and you will avoid been there just watching people go first then you.
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Albry
Bangor, UK3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Sunlight streams through a kaleidoscope of colors at Sa Sainte-Chapelle, a breathtaking jewel box in Paris. Each stained glass panel tells a biblical story, bathing the interior in a luminous glow. Prepare to be awestruck by the sheer artistry and historical significance of this architectural masterpiece. Don't miss the chance to walk among the clouds at the top chapel - a truly heavenly experience!
Written 20 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elisabeth
Alkmaar, The Netherlands120 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
On the first Sunday of Jan-Feb-Mar and Nov-Dec you can visit Sainte-Chapelle for free. We were there on the first Sunday of January 2024. We made sure we were there early too. If the lines would have been crazy, we would have skipped it. But they were not.

Note that you will have to climb stairs. On the ground floor you can buy souvenirs. We got ripped off by one vendor, but that was also my own fault because I did not check the total amount. May - of course - have been unintentional.

The chapel was still undergoing mayor work (outside). But the inside was beautiful. A bit crowded, even at 09:00 on a cold and gray Sunday morning.
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Victoria
188 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
This chapel was built by King Louis IX to display the Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore.

Its most impressive feature? Those stunning stained glass windows that soar high into the air. There's more glass than wall here, that's for sure.

The chapel is located right next to the French courts, so security is tight.

Lines to the chapel can get long, so you may want to purchase tickets in advance, or come here first thing in the morning. If you didn't purchase tickets in advance, you'll have to go through security first before proceeding to the chapel to buy your tickets.

You can buy a combination ticket for the nearby Conciergerie, so if you plan on visiting that site as well, get the combination ticket.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

razza61
Gatton, Australia367 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
This was my must-see on this trip to Paris. We pre-booked our time online but the line was still quite long. Just make sure you get in the line for your booked time on arrival. The stained glass windows in the upper chapel are absolutely breathtaking even on an overcast day. I can only imagine how beautiful they would be with sunlight behind them. We bought the audiotour headsets, but honestly found them a little confusing as to what we were supposed to be looking at because these windows are huge & full of different detail. But this is a must do if in Paris, even the lower chapel is lovely but the true beauty is in the upper chapel.
Written 16 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rui V
Barcelona, Spain33 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
One pays 13 Euros to visit Sainte-Chapelle and the number of vispitors is huge, constant queues with dozens of visitors so you might think that would entitle you to a decent service, but no. The lower level, an integral part of the building snd part of the visit, is occupied by stalls selling bric-a-brac, books, guides and souvenirs. It is impossible to have an overall view of the space and appreciate the architecture. And if you need to use the men's toilets, you will find that, in addition to being dirty and in poor condition, they have no doors. If one needs to evacuate, one must do so in public and al fresco, if one needs to urinate one can be sure of being submerged in the foul-smelling effluvia from the toilets. It is totally inadequate and I invite Musees Nationaux to solve this situation asap.
Written 5 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rodney P
Auckland, New Zealand296 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Such an amazing interior with all the stained glass windows that have been lovingly and carefully restored. Best to get a timed entry ticket
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marta Kārkliņa
Ventspils, Latvia161 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
I think it would be better if they would limit the amount of people than can go in at the same time even more because it felt a bit crowded which can make it less enjoyable to appreciate all the beauty around you. Also given that the tickets are not exactly cheap it's a shame that they don't take better care of it because the security check room felt small and outdated and the Chapelle was quite dusty and the windows seemed dirty.
But those are just small things compared to the fact that the Sainte Chapelle was just as impressive as I imagined to be!
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

Frequently Asked Questions about Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost S$29.86, while a popular guided tour starts around S$4.47 per person.