Sainte-Chapelle in Paris Tickets and Tours

Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most popular attractions on the Île de la Cité in Paris and one of the most beautiful Gothic temples in the city. Considered a masterpiece of the Radiant Period, it was built to house the reliquary containing the crown of thorns and today it amazes visitors with its polychrome stained-glass windows.

However, it is not only the façade of the building that is a spectacle in itself, as the interior presents a clean construction, without murals, which reaches a height of 75 metres with the main tower. You can also visit the lower and upper chapels, making a tour of this site one of the best things to do in Paris.

The most convenient option

Paris Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie Tickets

Skip-the-line tickets for the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie de Paris

You will discover one of the most famous Gothic temples of the French capital and you can combine this tour with a visit to the Conciergerie with preferential access.

From CAD 30 at Hellotickets

With this alternative you will be able to visit one of the most popular and visited temples in Paris with skip-the-line tickets. The tickets will give you access to the interior chapels and also to the central nave, where you will start a journey back in time to medieval France in the 13th century. Trace its history through the stained glass engravings and interior decorations.

These tickets will also give you the chance to see the Conciergerie, a historic building that occupies the Quai de l'Horloge a few metres from the Sainte-Chapelle and which was the residence of the kings of France during the Middle Ages. On the other hand, during the French Revolution this building served as one of the most feared prisons in the country.

Recommended if... you want to visit one of the most famous temples in Paris in a comfortable experience with preferential access.

Tickets to visit the Sainte-Chapelle have an initial cost of approximately 13 euros per person, for a general admission ticket that includes adults and also minors who are not citizens or residents of the European Union. However, if you plan to visit Paris in December or during the winter months, Sainte-Chapelle, like other attractions, offers free admission on certain days of the week.

Alternatively, you can also opt for a double ticket, which includes a visit to the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie and has a starting price of approximately 20 euros. In this case the ticket also offers skip-the-line entry and at the Conciergerie you can opt for the assistance of an expert local guide.

People with a physical disability and university students with proper accreditation can enter free of charge. Also, on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December, admission is free for everyone.

You can visit the Sainte-Chapelle with a single general admission ticket, which includes adults and minors who are non-residents and non-EU citizens, and costs approximately 13 euros initially. This ticket does not offer skip-the-line access and does not include the guided tour of the chapel, which you will have to book on your own if you want to experience the chapel.

On the other hand, you can also buy a double ticket which includes not only the visit to the Sainte-Chapelle but also the Conciergerie, a historic building on the Île de la Cité which is just a few metres away from the Gothic chapel. These tickets have an initial cost of approximately 20 euros per person for both tours.

For double tickets, you will be able to enter Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie without queuing.

Tickets for the Sainte-Chapelle are included in the Paris Pass, so if you buy this sightseeing card you will have entry to the chapel included. This will allow you to save money on your visit and also to enter this gothic temple without queues, as this pass also includes preferential access to most of its attractions.

On the other hand, the Paris Pass also includes entry to other sites on the Île de la Cité, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie and the Archaeological Crypt, which will be useful for putting together an itinerary. Definitely an ideal way to get around the city if you plan to visit Paris in 3 days or even less.

Please note that the Paris Pass can be purchased for 2, 3, 4 or 6 days, which you should define before purchasing the pass based on the travel plan you have decided to make.

General admission tickets do not include the guided tour of the Sainte-Chapelle, but simply the entrance to the interior of the chapel. However, if you wish, you can hire the assistance of an expert local guide, although this is not strictly necessary as the chapel is signposted and signposted enough to understand its historical importance. These guides usually charge an additional fee which does not include entrance to the temple.

If you opt for the double ticket, which also includes entrance to the Conciergerie, you will also get a guided tour of this building and its complex history. Additionally, many of the best Paris tours offer a tour of the Île de la Cité and its main attractions.

General admission tickets to visit the Sainte-Chapelle do not distinguish by age, so there are no special, discounted or reduced-rate tickets for children. However, all children under the age of 18 who are citizens or residents of the European Union can enter the chapel free of charge.

Note, however, that the Île de la Cité offers some of the best things to do with children in Paris, as you can not only visit the historic buildings and temples, but also take part in themed tours and see some of the best panoramic views of the French capital.

The only way to get tickets to visit the Sainte-Chapelle is through the chapel's official website or on the platforms of authorised tour service providers. Therefore, you will not be able to buy tickets at the ticket office at the time of your visit, especially since you will have to specify the time slot of your visit when booking in advance.

On the other hand, in order to promote the state of preservation of the building and its interior, the number of daily visitors is usually limited, so by booking in advance online you will ensure your place on this visit on the day and at the time indicated, which will also allow you to plan your itinerary and make the most of your trip to the French capital.

The opening hours of the Sainte-Chapelle change according to the time of year. If you plan to visit Paris in summer or spring, you will be able to enter every day from 9 am to 7 pm. This time slot applies from 1 April to 30 September each year.

On the other hand, if you plan to visit Paris during the winter and autumn, the Sainte-Chapelle will be open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, from 1 October to 31 March of the following year. Please note, too, that the last entry to the building is 30 minutes before closing time.

The Sainte-Chapelle is also open every day except 1 January, 1 May and 25 December each year.

Interesting details

• Winter opening hours... Monday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Summer opening hours... Monday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

The opening hours to visit the Sainte-Chapelle are every one hour, which means that this is enough time to visit the building, both on the outside, where you can marvel at its radiant Gothic architecture, and on the inside, where you will find the central nave, the lower and upper chapels and also the crypt of the reliquary, which contains the crown of thorns on which the building was built.

However, if you wish, you can stay longer inside the chapel and if you choose to buy the double ticket, which also includes entrance to the Conciergerie, the tour will be extended for about an hour more. Please note that you can enter the chapel up to 30 minutes before closing time and that if you visit Paris during the summer the opening hours are extended until 7pm each day.

The Sainte-Chapelle has different charms at different times of the year. Summer, especially from June to August, is considered the best time to visit, especially as during these months the city flourishes with warmer weather and longer days, allowing you to enjoy the sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows of the chapel, creating a visual spectacle not to be missed.

However, if you plan to visit Paris during spring and autumn you can also explore some of the best sides of the Sainte-Chapelle. In spring, the surrounding gardens come alive, providing a magical setting to complement your visit. In autumn, although the days are shorter, the fewer tourists can make for a quieter and more relaxing experience, and you'll have plenty of time to appreciate the architectural details of the interior.

On the other hand, although winter can be colder and the days shorter, the illuminated Sainte-Chapelle during the Christmas season in Paris offers a beautiful skyline. The festive decorations and the chance to see special concerts in this historic setting can make for a memorable visit.

You can get to the Sainte-Chapelle from anywhere in Paris on lines 1, 4 and 14 and buses on lines 27, 38, 47, 63, 72 and 75. Also, if you plan to stay on the outskirts of the city, you can opt for lines B and C of the regional trains.

Several of Paris' best tourist buses include a stop in the area near the Île de la Cité, so you can also use this mode of transport. Many of these services offer hop-on-hop-off tours, so you can use them to get to the Sainte-Chapelle and then continue on to other attractions.

Visiting the Sainte-Chapelle will allow you to discover the Gothic splendour of the Île de la Cité and to contemplate one of the most representative architectural jewels of the city. Inside the chapel you can also admire the details of the stained glass windows, which are divided into fifteen panels, each one representing biblical scenes from Genesis to the Resurrection.

During your tour of the interior you should not miss the Gothic details typical of the construction, such as the flying buttresses and buttresses, which reveal the technical skill of the medieval builders and which are evident in the absence of murals to support the structure, designed to emphasise verticality and luminosity. You can also admire the height of the ceilings, which reach 75 metres in the main tower.

On the other hand, the lower chapel, often overlooked, is also a site not to be missed. Here you will find a collection of statues representing the twelve apostles, giving you an artistic and symbolic perspective of what the Sainte-Chapelle represented in the Middle Ages as a reliquary for the coveted crown of thorns.

Last but not least, make sure you know the history behind this temple! Built in the 13th century as a royal chapel to house relics of the Passion of Christ, it is a testimony to the power and devotion of the medieval French monarchy. Knowing the historical context will enrich your visit, allowing you to appreciate not only the visual beauty, but also the cultural depth of this site.

First of all, don't forget to buy your tickets in advance. The Sainte-Chapelle is a popular attraction and by booking in advance of your visit, you will avoid the delays caused by last-minute bookings. Also, remember that tickets are no longer on sale at the box office.

On the other hand, don't forget to consider the time of your visit as a key factor in your enjoyment of this site. The illumination of the stained glass windows is particularly striking in the morning or evening hours, especially during the Parisian summer, so this detail can make the difference between an acceptable experience and a fascinating one. Also, try to visit this day during the week to avoid the crowds.

Finally, don't forget to respect the rules of the place. The Sainte-Chapelle is a site of great historical and spiritual importance, so visitors are expected to keep a moderate tone of voice and avoid disruptive behaviour. Also, don't forget that although it is a tourist attraction, it is primarily a religious building, so you should avoid disturbing the faithful who come to practise their faith.