Five Tips for Visiting Sainte-Chapelle

1. Check the opening hours. Closing time changes with the season. From April 1 to September 30, Sainte-Chapelle opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m.; from October 1 to March 31, it closes at 5:00 p.m. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Since light is the whole point here, aim for the morning or the middle of the day when the sun is high.

2. Arrive 10 minutes early. The entrance line is usually long, and security checks are airport-style, so it moves slowly. There are also two lines, split by time slot, for example one for 10:00 entry and another for 10:30. Check which line matches your ticket before joining; stand in the wrong one and you could end up going in at 10:30 on a 10:00 ticket.

3. Leave large bags at your accommodation. Big backpacks and suitcases are not allowed, and neither are sharp objects such as knives or scissors. There is no luggage storage on site.

4. Don't worry about restrooms. Toilets in Europe are often paid or hard to find, but here they are free, and they are right inside once you clear security.

5. Wear comfortable shoes. The chapel has a lower and an upper level, and you reach the upper chapel by a narrow, steep spiral staircase. There is a dedicated lift for wheelchairs and strollers, but if you have a stroller, we suggest leaving it on the ground floor and carrying your child up, since the space is small and you won't move around much.