What is Sainte-Chapelle in Paris?
Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic chapel in Paris, France, about a block from Notre Dame Cathedral. In this post, we’ll cover tips for visiting, offer our review, share photos, and also where we’d slot Sainte-Chapelle into an itinerary of Paris. First, an admission that we goofed.
Can you take pictures inside the Sainte Chapelle in Paris?
Flash photography is prohibited and considered non-courteous at the chapel, so natural lighting becomes a key component. The Sainte Chapelle in Paris allows free entry on the first Sunday of every month. The waiting time on such days is around 45 minutes and more. Some visitors qualify for free entry to Sainte Chapelle daily.
What was the size of the Sainte Chapelle?
It was a very large structure, 36 meters long, 17 meters wide, and 42.5 meters high, ranking in size with the new Gothic cathedrals in France. In addition to serving as a place of worship, the Sainte-Chapelle played an important role in the political and cultural ambitions of King Louis and his successors.
What time is mass at Notre Dame and the Ste Chapelle?
The Ste Chapelle is not devoted to worship anymore, it works like a "museum" now. I think the mass at Notre Dame are at 10 and 11h30. But don't expect to see any parisians there, most of the people following Notre Dame mass are tourists.
Is Sainte-Chapelle a church?
Sainte-Chapelle is no longer a church. It was secularised after the French Revolution, which ended state religion. It is now operated by the French Centre of National Monuments, along with the nearby Conciergerie, the other remaining vestige of the original palace.
What is inside of Sainte-Chapelle?
Sainte-Chapelle is a hidden gem in the Ile de la Cite. Built in the 13th century, the chapel features over 1,000 beautiful stained glass panels that bathe its interior in a kaleidoscope of colors.
What is special about Sainte-Chapelle?
Built in seven years, an impressive feat, the Sainte Chapelle was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis. Religious and political influence. Having these sacred relics in his possession made the already powerful monarch head of western Christianity.
Does Sainte-Chapelle have a dress code?
There is no dress code.
Can you get married in Sainte-Chapelle Paris?
This chapel is dedicated to King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette but most importantly, it belongs to the french state, not to the church. Because of that, it's the only place in Paris where you can actually have a ceremony in a chapelle.
Is Sainte-Chapelle worth it?
Conclusion. A visit to the Sainte-Chapelle is definitely a must! This timeless monument exudes a magical atmosphere. This is a wonderful jewel of Gothic architecture and the sublime stained glass windows alone are worth the trip.
Are there bathrooms in Saint Chapelle?
The bathrooms are at the exit gate (which is also the entrance for handicapped visitors) but most were closed except the handicapped bathroom and so there was a lengthy line for its use.
Is the Crown of Thorns in Sainte-Chapelle?
No. The Crown of Thorns was housed at Sainte-Chapelle until 2003; then, it was relocated to Notre Dame cathedral.
Does the Sainte-Chapelle still have the Crown of Thorns?
There are now only three: a fragment of the cross, a nail, and the crown of thorns. They are now part of the Notre-Dame de Paris treasure. The Sainte-Chapelle no longer houses these relics.
How much time do you need at Sainte-Chapelle?
Between 30 minutes and one hour inside, without the time needed to purchase the ticket. over a year ago.
Can you take photos in Sainte-Chapelle?
You must visit Sainte Chapelle when the light is low and you can easily photograph the stained glass windows. For this reason, the best time to visit is late afternoon, close to sunset.
Is Sainte-Chapelle free on first Sunday?
Entry to Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie next door are both free if you visit on the first Sunday of the month. Get here as early as you can, you will still have to queue for about 40 minutes due to the security.
Where is Sainte Chapelle?
The Sainte-Chapelle ( French: [sɛ̃t ʃapɛl]; English: Holy Chapel) is a royal chapel in the Gothic style, within the medieval Palais de la Cité, the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine in Paris, France. Construction began sometime after 1238 and the chapel was consecrated on 26 April 1248.
What happened to Sainte Chapelle during the French Revolution?
Sainte-Chapelle, as both a symbol of religion and royalty, was a prime target for vandalism during the French Revolution. The chapel was turned into a storehouse for grain, and the sculpture and royal emblems on the exterior were smashed. The spire was pulled down. Some of the stained glass was broken or dispersed, but nearly two-thirds of the glass today is original; some of the original glass was relocated in other windows, The sacred relics were dispersed although some survive as the " relics of Sainte-Chapelle " in the treasury of Notre-Dame de Paris ). Various reliquaries, including the grande châsse, were melted down for their precious metal.
How many levels were there in Sainte Chapelle?
This earlier chapel had only one level; its plan, on a much grander scale, was adapted for Sainte-Chapelle. The two levels of the new chapel equal in size, had entirely different purposes. The upper level, where the sacred relics were kept was reserved exclusively for the royal family and their guests.
What was Sainte Chapelle inspired by?
Sainte-Chapelle was inspired by the earlier Carolingian royal chapels, notably that of Charlemagne at his palace in Aix-en-Chapelle (now Aachen]. It was built in about 800, and served as the oratory of the Emperor. In 1238 Louis IX had already built one royal chapel, attached to the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This earlier chapel had only one level; its plan, on a much grander scale, was adapted for Sainte-Chapelle.
What did Louis IX receive for the Chapel?
Louis IX receives the crown of thorns and other sacred relics for the Chapel (14th century illustration) Illustration in Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (c. 1400) Sainte-Chapelle and the Palais de la Cité in 1615.
How tall is the lower chapel?
The lower chapel is only 6.6 meters high, with a six-meter wide central vessel and two narrow side aisles. The supports of the ceiling vaults are unusual; the outward thrust of the vaults is counterbalanced by small, elegant arched buttresses between the outer and inner columns, and they are also reinforced by a metallic structure hidden under the paint and plaster.
How high is the spire of Sainte-Chapelle?
Detail of the spire. The current spire, thirty-three meters high, is the fifth to be built at Sainte-Chapelle since the 13th century. The appearance of the first is unknown, but the second, built in 1383 under Charles V is pictured in an illustration of the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.
Where is Sainte Chapelle?
The Sainte-Chapelle is located in Palais de la Cité, the medieval royal palace on Ile de la Cité, the island on river Seine. It is half a kilometer (one-third of a mile) from Notre Dame. Bus route numbers 21, 27, 38, 85, 96 can take you closer to Sainte Chapelle.
Why was Sainte Chapelle built?
Sainte Chapelle was built as a place 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, the image of Edessa, and some thirty other items.
What time does Sainte Chapelle open?
Sainte Chapelle hours. Sainte Chapelle opens daily at 9 am. During the peak season of April to September, Sainte Chapelle closes at 7 pm, and during the lean season of October to March, the Holy Chapel closes at 5 pm. The last admission is 30 minutes before the time of closure.
How many stained glass windows are there in the Holy Chapel?
The Holy Chapel has 15 stained glass windows, each 15 meters high, and together they depict more than 1100 scenes from the Old and New Testaments narrating the world’s history. Annually more than a million tourists visit this chapel, which holds religious significance for believers. Sainte Chapelle is also referred to as the Holy Chapel.
What is the most beautiful chapel in France?
1. Île de la Cité, Seine Cruise and Sainte Chap elle. During this 90-minute guided tour, you start with Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine with a considerable influence on the history of France. Next, head to the city’s most beautiful chapel – Sainte Chapelle.
When does Sainte Chapelle perform?
From mid-March to mid-December every year, Sainte Chapelle hosts classical concerts regularly.
When does Sainte Chapelle close for lunch?
Every day from 1 pm to 2:15 pm, Sainte Chapelle shuts down for lunch.
Where is Sainte Chapelle?
Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic chapel in Paris, France, about a block from Notre Dame Cathedral. In this post, we’ll cover tips for visiting, offer our review, share photos, and also where we’d slot Sainte-Chapelle into an itinerary of Paris. First, an admission that we goofed. We had visited Paris many times before finally stopping at Sainte-Chapelle. We had walked past it literally dozens of times, but had never ventured inside.
What is the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle?
The upper chapel is where the Passion Relics were once held, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns, which are now housed in Notre Dame.
How long does it take to visit Sainte Chapelle?
You can definitely have a satisfying visit to Sainte-Chapelle in 30 minutes, but I really liked our approach as a way to learn more about the chapel before seeing it in its full resplendence as the sun set and the crowds cleared out. If you’re on a tight schedule or it’s your first visit to Paris, spending 1.5 hours at Sainte-Chapelle might not be the best use of your time, though.
What are the stained glass windows in Sainte-Chapelle?
The huge stained glass windows are the defining characteristic of this upper section, and they depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the journey of the Passion Relics to Sainte-Chapelle.
Why is Sainte-Chapelle so crowded?
Due to Sainte-Chapelle’s small size, it cannot accommodate crowds very well at all. It’s perpetually crowded due to this, and the lines to enter also can be quite long as a result.
Is it dark inside Sainte-Chapelle?
For photography, Sainte-Chapelle can be a bit challenging. Despite all of the st ained glass, it can be somewhat dark inside. Tripods are not allowed inside (as is the case virtually everywhere in Paris) so you either need to shoot handheld or come up with a workaround.
Is there a separate entrance to the Paris Museum?
One of us walked forward around the corner to scout out the actual entrance, and there was a separate, empty for the Paris Museum Pass. The signage for this did not appear until right before the security checkpoint, so it appears that this would be a regular issue. Once we got out of the main line, several others followed, so clearly we were not the only ones confused.
History
- Construction
Sainte-Chapelle was inspired by the earlier Carolingian royal chapels, notably that of Charlemagne at his palace in Aix-en-Chapelle (now Aachen). It was built in about 800, and served as the oratory of the Emperor. In 1238 Louis IX had already built one royal chapel, attached to the Château de S… - The royal chapel
1. Louis IX receives the crown of thorns and other sacred relics for the chapel (14th century illustration) 2. Illustration in Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry(c. 1400) 3. Sainte-Chapelle and the Palais de la Citéin 1615 Sainte-Chapelle or "Holy Chapel", in the courtyard of the royal palace …
Timeline
- 1239 - Louis IX purchases the reputed Crown of Thorns
- 1241 - The crown and other relics arrive in Paris
- 1242-44 - Construction begins
- 1248 – Sainte-Chapelle completed and consecrated
Description
- The royal chapel is a prime example of the phase of Gothic architectural style called "Rayonnant", marked by its sense of weightlessness and strong vertical emphasis. It stands squarely upon a lower chapel, which served as parish church for all the inhabitants of the palace, which was the seat of government.
Stained Glass
- Scenes from Passion of Christ (apse) (click 2X for full-size)
- Scenes from life of Ezekiel (south wall)
- Scenes from Ezekiel and Job (south wall, bay 4)
- Saint Louis transports relics of the true cross (south wall, bay 14)
Art and Decoration
- Sculpture
1. Detail of the portal of the upper chapel; Christ and the Last Judgement by Geoffroy-Dechaume 2. The creation of Eve from Adam's rib (portal of upper chapel) 3. Relief sculpture of Noah's ark and the flood (portal of upper chapel) Most of the sculpture of the portals was destroyed during … - Painting
1. Lower chapel, column capital on reverse of west front 2. Interior of the west facade; Christ with Angels, Sts. Isaiah and Jeremiah in the quadilobes (painting by Steinheil, 1856) 3. Wall decoration, with the castle of the Kingdom of Castile 4. Quadrilobe painting of martyrdom of an Apostle, upp…
The Relics and The Reliquary
- Louis IX places the crown of thorns at Sainte-Chapelle (illuminated manuscript from 1480s)
- The Grande Châsse, or reliquary, in 1790
- Crown of Thorns in gilded crystal case (Notre-Dame de Paris, now in Louvre)
- Reliquary bust of Louis IX (Notre-Dame de Paris)
Other Saintes-Chapelles
- Prior to the dissolution of the Sainte-Chapelle in 1803, following the French Revolution, the term "Sainte-Chapelle royale" also referred not only to the building but to the chapelle itself, the choir of Sainte-Chapelle. However, the term was also applied to a number of other buildings. Louis IX's chapel inspired several "copies", in the sense of royal or ducal chapels of broadly similar architec…
See Also
Bibliography
- Brisac, Catherine (1994). Le Vitrail (in French). Paris: La Martinière. ISBN 2-73-242117-0.
- de Finance, Laurence (2012). La Sainte-Chapelle- Palais de la Cité (in French). Éditions du Patrimoine, Centre des Monuments Nationaux. ISBN 978-2-7577-0246-8.
Further Reading
- Cavicchi, Camilla (2019). "Origin and Dissemination of Images of the Saint Chapel". Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography. 44 (1–2): 57–77. ISSN 1522-7464.
- Gebelin, F. (1937) La Sainte Chapelle et la Conciergerie. Paris.