The Lower Chapel: A Ceiling Like the Sky

Step inside and the deep blue ceiling creates an elegant atmosphere. It symbolizes the sky and presents the chapel's interior as heaven, the realm of God. To convey the message that "the order of heaven is the order of the French royal house," golden fleurs-de-lis, the emblem of the Capetian dynasty, are scattered across it like stars.

The statue ahead is Louis IX, the king who built the chapel. His robe and the neighboring column are decorated with fleurs-de-lis on a blue ground. The red column beside it, patterned with castles, represents Castile, the homeland of Louis's mother. Louis was deeply devoted to her, and by placing his own emblem next to hers he expressed both the legitimacy of the French crown and its bond with the House of Castile.

Below the statue you'll see broken sculptural fragments, and to the right, a gargoyle. These pieces were removed during the major restoration of the 13th-century chapel in the 19th century. Worn out and replaced, they were kept rather than discarded and served as models for the new carvings.

This is the Lower Chapel, which now houses a visitor area and a gift shop. It was where palace officials, servants and soldiers, rather than the royal family, attended services. Compared with the upper level, the ceiling is much lower and the space feels cozy. The stairs up to the Upper Chapel are to the right of the entrance. They are narrow and steep, so watch your step.