Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie

La Sainte Chapelle (The Holy Chapel)

The nearest subway station is Cité on line 4. When you get out of the station, first you find the police building in front, and the building you see in a little distance on your right hand is the Palais de Justice (a law court). On the Cite island, La Sainte Chapelle is standing on the premises of the court of justice. There is always a line of people on the street waiting to get inside. I had been long wondering what the line was for … because I didn’t know much about the chapel.

Through the narrow ticket gate, I first got lost because I thought the building I entered was already a part of the chapel, but actually it was not, and I had to get out of the building behind again. Then, I found Sainte Chapelle outside, and again I showed my ticket at the window to be allowed to get into the chapel. It’s like a maze.

palais de justice

Le Palais de Justice (left) and La Sainte Chapelle (right)

Before entering the chapel, here I show you a small summary of the history of La Saint Chapelle.

Back in the 13th century, Louis IX, who was then called Saint Louis, obtained Christ’s crown of thorns from Beaudoin II, the Emperor of Constantinople, for a considerable sum, and later some more relics. The chapel was built to house the relics of the Passion of Christ.


the lower chapel


the upper chapel

La Sainte chapelle also attracts people for its world biggest stained glass (15m). It is also the oldest in Paris.

Standing in the brilliant space, I felt like I traveled back to the past. Light comes in from all the directions through the colorful stained glass windows, which makes the space look like a kaleidoscope. I can’t believe I didn’t know such a place for a long time.

【 La Sainte-Chapelle Entrance】
4 boulevard du Palais  75001 Paris
Tel: 33/(0)1 53 40 60 80
Fax: 33/(0)1 53 40 60 90

【 Open】
9:30 am—6:00 pm March 1 ~October 31
9:00 am-5:00 pm November 1 ~ February 29

【 Closed】
January 1, May 1, December 25

【 Admission fee】 €7.5 *combination ticket for La Saint Chapelle and LaConciergerie €11.50

【 Related website】 La Sainte Chapelle

Conciergerie

La Conciergerie means guard. Once again I had to get out of the compound of the law court and looked for another line of people on the street. On the same street, there are two different gates. One is for La Saint Chapelle, and the other one is for La Consiergerie. It’s really a labyrinth!! I was very confused where to go and asked people for the direction. Well, I almost got into the law court, but it is not there!

This building was originally built as a palace by order of Philippe IV. However, in the 14th century it was changed into a prison, and after the French Revolution in the 18th century, many aristocrats and revolutionists were imprisoned before execution. One of them was Marie-Antoinette. The cell where she spent her last 76 days (from August to October in 1793) is also re-created.


The cell Marie-Antoinette was confined in.


The pitcher which is believed to have been used by Marie-Antoinette.

【 La Conciergerie Entrance】
2, boulevard du Palais  75001 Paris
Tel: 33/(0)1 53 40 60 93
Fax: 33/(0)1 53 40 60 96

【 Open】
9:30 am—6:00 pm March 1 ~October 31
9:00 am-5:00 pm November 1 ~ February 29

【 Closed】
January 1, May 1, December 25

【 Admission fee】 €6.5 *combination ticket for La Saint Chapelle and La Conciergerie €11.50

【 related website】 La Conciergerie