14 Points about Paris’s Sainte-Chapelle
In the middle of the Seine River of northern France is found a small island with a long and important history. An early name was Lutetia; a Gallic tribe lived there for many years. Another tribe called the Parisii later moved in. They lived by farming and trade. The island was first mentioned by Julius Caesar about 53 B.C.E. He and his army soon took control. They built a wall encompassing the island, now easily defended. The Romans stayed for some 400 years in their extended colony of Gaul.
As the Roman Empire began to disintegrate, other peoples moved into the power vacuum. The most important was the Franks. Their king Clovis I knew a good site when he saw one. According to the story, Saint Genevieve spoke for her people and arranged their submission to Clovis. He made his capital and built his palace there. The Franks lived in the area for hundreds of years.
Descended from the mighty Charlemagne, Hugh Capet was considered the founder of the House of Capet. His family ruled France from 987 to 1328 in their main family. A subsidiary family branch, called a cadet branch, ruled until well into the 19th century. His descendent King Louis IX (1214–1270) was a serious Roman Catholic. Louis wanted a new (at the time) chapel built.
1. Considered the classic example of Gothic architecture in Paris, it was built of stone in only 6 years, from 1242 to 1248. This was considered lightning quick for the time.
2. Louis IX ordered its construction to hold his collection of relics connected to the Passion of Christ, including the Crown of Thorns, retrieved from the Holy Land.
3. Louis himself was later canonized as a saint in the Catholic religion.
4. On the outside, buttresses support the roof.
5. The basement was the place of worship for the Royal Family’s staff and others. It is decorated with the Royals’ symbols — fleurs-de-lis, painted on the ceiling.
6. The King and the other Royals worshipped in the upper Chapelle Haute (High Chapel).
7. The upper section has more than 6,000 square feet of stained glass depicting world history — from a Christian point of view. Begins with the Creation to the end of the world.
8. The altar was raised to display the Crown of Thorns. Only the priest and the King were granted entrance here.
9. Open to the public daily 9:00–19:00. From October to March until 17:00.
10. Current price is 11.50 Euros, free for people under 18. The Museum Pass includes entry.
11. Audioguides available for 3 Euros.
12. Evening concerts are often held here usually about 19:00 and 20:30. Ticket prices are between 30–50 Euros for different seat sections. Arrive early, as there is no seat assignment within sections. Booking is online, by phone or at the box office (left side of the gate to the chapel entrance). Tel: +33 1 42 77 65 65. Online at www.tickettac.com or www.euromusicproductions.fr.
13. The chapel contains a combination bookshop-giftshop.
14. Tours are available for disabled people. Contact the chapel in advance.
Address: 4 Boulevard du Palais. +33 1 53 40 60 80. www.sainte-chapelle.fr. Metro stop: Cité.
