Sainte-Chapelle

Getting There and Booking Your Slot

Sainte-Chapelle sits in the heart of the Île de la Cité in Paris's 1st arrondissement, at 10 Boulevard du Palais. Unlike…

Arriving and Getting In: What to Know

Once you're in the courtyard, you'll see the security line. It may be longer than at other sights, and there's a reason:…

A Jewel Box Born of Debt

Sainte-Chapelle stands on the Île de la Cité, the same island as Notre-Dame. It's about a kilometre long and 300 metres…

The Grande Châsse: Revolution and Rebirth

At the far east end of the Upper Chapel stands a small, empty platform. It is the most storied spot in the building, bec…

Saint Louis and His Mother, Blanche

This is the story of Louis IX, who built this chapel, and his mother, Blanche of Castile.

Gothic: A Revolution of Light

Say "Gothic" and most people picture dark churches, black clothes and a gloomy mood. This style is the exact opposite. I…

The Exterior and the Spire

To take in Sainte-Chapelle's whole exterior, step back a little.

Two Worlds and the Secret of the Iron

Sainte-Chapelle is two chapels stacked one on top of the other. Eight hundred years ago, people parted ways at the main…

The Lower Chapel

One thing before we step through the door. In the 13th century this site was the royal palace of the French king, which…

A Storm of Light and a Map of the Space

You've made it up the narrow stairs, and the sight that greets you in the Upper Chapel will leave you speechless. Just s…

How to Read Stained Glass

Stained glass is something you read. To the 13th-century people who couldn't read, these windows were far more than pret…

Genesis, Window 13: The First Page of Humanity

Window 13 is the one closest to the entrance on the left-hand wall, and its subject is Genesis. The big side windows are…

Exodus and Numbers, Windows 11 and 9

Window 11 sits just inside Window 13. The big side windows carry only odd numbers, so 13 is followed by 11. Its story be…

Deuteronomy, Judith and Job: Windows 7 and 8

In Window 7, the story leaves the forty years in the desert behind and arrives at the edge of Canaan, the Promised Land.…

Esther and Kings: Windows 10 and 12

Window 10 is one step further toward the entrance along the south wall. After Judith and Job, its subject is Esther. In…

Isaiah, Ezekiel and Judges: Windows 3, 4 and 5

Next up are the small windows of the apse. We have just followed the history of kings along the side windows, so now it…

Jeremiah, Tobit and the West Rose Window: Window 6

The last window in the apse is Window 6. We've just seen the heroes of Judges, and like Window 3, this one holds two com…

Witnesses to the Passion: Windows 1 and 2

At the innermost end of the chapel, in the middle of the apse that curves around in a half circle, stands Window 0. We h…

The Passion of Christ: Window 0

Window 0 sits dead center, where the altar stands. Having met the witnesses to the Passion on either side, we now come t…

The History of the Relics: Window 14

Window 14 follows the Passion window, where we saw Jesus crowned with thorns, and tells how that Crown of Thorns came to…

The Twelve Apostles Holding Up the Chapel of Light

Take your eyes off the stained glass for a moment and look at the slender bundles of columns on the wall between the win…

Farewell: Starry Sky and Wildflowers

Our long journey through Sainte-Chapelle is drawing to a close. After craning your neck to decode all that glass overhea…