Visiting Sainte-Chapelle: Practical Tips

Sainte-Chapelle is as popular as it is beautiful, so when and how should you go?

It has some of the tightest security screening of any attraction in Paris, and there is rarely a day without a long line. Sharp objects are confiscated and not returned, so leave anything that could be mistaken for a weapon at home. Paris Museum Pass holders and people buying tickets on the spot queue in different lines, so check which one is yours. The best strategy is to arrive before opening and get in line early. If you wander around in the afternoon and decide to drop by Sainte-Chapelle on your way through the Île de la Cité, you'll wait a very long time. It's also worth checking the forecast and picking a sunny day.

Standing in a long line on a sunny day can get dull, so stop first at Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis, the smaller island next to the Île de la Cité. If you're traveling with someone, one of you can fetch ice cream while the other holds your place. You'll often see "Berthillon ice cream" on the menus of well-known Paris cafés and restaurants and on shop walls, which shows how famous the brand is. This traditional Italian gelato shop was founded in 1954 by Mr. Berthillon and is now run by the fourth generation of his family. It is said to be good enough to supply the British royal family, and in summer you'll see Parisians strolling the streets with a Berthillon cone in hand. It's known for sticking firmly to its principles: no chemical treatment, a variety of natural ingredients, and only gelato made that very morning. If a cup of sweet, cold Berthillon gets you through the wait, and you leave Sainte-Chapelle still dreaming of it, why not go back in the evening?

Sainte-Chapelle has recently begun hosting a variety of concerts. Check the schedule on the official website, and consider a romantic evening performance against a backdrop of stained glass and candlelight. Except in winter, there is a concert almost every evening, and you're asked to arrive 30 minutes beforehand to go through security. There is also a special Mass once a year, so Catholics may want to note the date in advance.

One more money-saving tip: there is a combined ticket for the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle, so if you plan to see both sites on the Île de la Cité, it's the one to get. If you're visiting several museums and galleries, though, a Paris Museum Pass is the better deal.