Saint Chapelle, Paris
Saint Chapelle
Address: 4 boulevard du Palais
Arrondissement: 1st arrondissement
Hours: March 1 – October 31 hours are 9:30am – 6:00pm. From November 1 – February 28 hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm.
Phone: 33 (01) 53 40 60 80
About the Saint Chapelle
The origins of Saint Chapelle date back to the days of Louis IX. The King had recently purchased relics from the Passion – the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross – from Byzantine Emperor Baldwin II. He had paid a hefty 135,000 livres for these items and conceptualized the perfect place to house them. His chosen architect was Pierre de Montrueil and ground was broken in 1242 for the Saint Chapelle, which translates to the Holy Chapel.
The chapel was complete within 6 years and is considered the epitome of Rayonanant style of French Gothic architecture. There is nearly 600 square meters of exquisite stained glass in the upper chapel. The windows were twice removed to protect them during the 19th century and during World War II. This part of the structure housed relics and was reserved for the King and his family and friends. The lower chapel, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was kept for the king’s staffers. It is a bit more humble but gorgeous none the less. It also holds the tombs of some of the former priests.
Saint Chapelle had been heavily damaged during the French Revolution and many relics and pieces of the chapel were destroyed or never seen again, including the original spire. The 33 meter spire on atop the roof was placed here in the 19th century but is an exact replica of the spire that previously sat there in the 15th century. The Saint Chapelle is one of the most perfect examples of Gothic architecture in the world and is not to be missed.
Getting to Saint Chapelle
Visitors can find Saint Chapelle via metro line 4’s Cite station.
Here is a short guide to hotels near Saint Chapelle.
Located at 1 rue Chenier, the 2 star Hotel Baby, offers recently refurbished rooms and ammenties to guests including a personal shower and toiler, hair dryer, television and a direct phone. There is a safe in the reception goods. A delicious continental breakfast is also served at the lounge tables or in the room if you so desire. Rates start at 48EUR for a standard room. Hotel Baby is less than 1 kilometer from Saint Chapelle and has the Cite, Bonne Nouvelle and Strasbourg Saint-Denis tube stations right outside of its door.
Located at 56 rue Monsieur Le Prince, 3 star Hotel Le Clos Medicis offers superb services for a low cost. The decor is tastefully done and is the ultimate in Parisian chic and comfort. There is also a salon with bar and a patio with wonderful city views. A standard room starts at 108EUR and includes comforting room amenities and a breakfast. It is less that 1 kilometer from Saint Chapelle and only a stones throw from the Cite and Cluny la Sorbonne tube stations.
Located at 3 rue de Montalembert, 4 star Hotel Montalembert is the ultimate in luxury. Built in 1926, it was dubbed as the very first boutique hotel in Paris. It, as well as the road it is situated on, was named after Charles Forbes Montalembert – a famous politician, writer and member of Academie Franse. The hotel offers top of the line amenities and dining. There are cozy nooks near the fireplace, terrace, restaurant and bar for guests to enjoy the views and their stay to the fullest. Single room rates start at 203EUR and include breakfast. The hotel is no further than a few kilometers from Saint Chapelle and has tube stations Cite and Rue du Bac close by.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
