The Sainte-Chapelle and its 1113 stained-glass windows, a true Gothic jewel in Paris

The Sainte-Chapelle is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris, with its 1113 colorful stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. This 800-year-old Gothic gem becomes a magical place under the sun.

Located just a few meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle is perhaps the most enchanting historical monument in Paris. Tucked away in the heart of the Palais de la Cité, between the Palais de Justice and the Conciergerie, this one-of-a-kind Gothic masterpiece is a magnificent sight to behold, whenever a ray of sunlight filters through the colorful stained-glass windows.

Built in seven years, between 1241 and 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle was intended to house the Crown of Thorns and other Passion relics, purchased by Louis IX in 1239. To preserve these treasures of Christianity, the Church created a building 33 meters long and 42.5 meters high, with 15-meter windows adorned with 1113 sublime stained-glass windows to let in light from all sides of the monument. These holy relics almost all disappeared during the French Revolution, with the exception of the Crown and the piece of the Cross, usually kept in the treasury of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

These 13th-century stained glass windows feature scenes from theOld and New Testaments, recounting the history of mankind from Genesis to Christ's resurrection. The large western rose at the top of the monument tells of future times and the Apocalypse. The stained glass windows, in shades of blue and yellow, date from the 15th century, explaining the difference in color with the rest of the glass, which was more purplish at the time.

Divided into two parts, the monument boasts two chapels. The lower chapel features a statue of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the sanctuary, as well as decorations restored in the 19th century and a 13th-century fresco depicting the Annunciation, considered to be the oldest mural in Paris. Accessible to palace servants in the Middle Ages, it served as the base for the upper chapel reserved for the sovereign. The latter contains the richly decorated reliquary, and the famous stained-glass windows, which give the building all its magic. When the weather is fine, the colors of the stained glass reflect off the floor and lend the interior of the monument a mystical aura.

While the monument is primarily religious, it is also a standard-bearer of France's prestige in medieval Europe. To learn more, continue your visit to the Conciergerie, the last vestige, along with the Sainte-Chapelle, of the former Palais de la Cité, a veritable wellspring of history.

The Sainte-Chapelle is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 October through March, and from 9:00 to 19:00 for the rest of the year. To visit the museum without stress, book your tickets in advance: the full price is 16 euros, while those under 26 enjoy free admission. Admission is free on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December. You can also take the opportunity to visit the Conciergerie right next door with a combined ticket at 23 euros.

To get there, take metro line 4 (Cité or Saint-Michel) or RER lines B and C ( Saint-Michel station). Please note that the Sainte-Chapelle is located within the perimeter of the Palais de Justice de Paris, so security checks are reinforced at the entrance to the monument.

Monument updates:

Visiting Sainte-Chapelle with the family: practical information, tips, and a tour of the Conciergerie
Can you visit Sainte-Chapelle with a stroller? Should you carry baby to reach the upper chapel, and is it worth stopping by the Conciergerie with the kids? On Île de la Cité, the two monuments can be explored together with a combined ticket. But with a toddler, a few caveats are worth knowing before you go, especially Sainte-Chapelle’s 33 steps. [Read more]

Monument Jeu d'Enfant 2026: Discover the Secrets of Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle invites children and grown-ups to take part in special tours on October 17 and 18, 2026, to mark the new edition of the Monument Jeu d’Enfant event. [Read more]

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.