Sainte-Chapelle in Paris Tickets and Tours

Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most popular attractions of 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 now amazes visitors with its polychrome stained glass windows.

However, not only the facade of the building is a spectacle in itself, since the interior presents a clean construction, without murals, which reaches 75 meters in height with the main tower. Likewise, you can also visit the lower and upper chapels, so touring this site is one of the best things to do in Paris.

The most comfortable 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 $22 at Hellotickets

With this alternative you can 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 begin a journey back in time to the medieval France of the thirteenth century. Trace its history through the engravings of the stained glass windows and interior decorations.

These tickets will also give you the opportunity to visit the Conciergerie, a historic building that occupies the quay of the Clock a few meters from the Sainte-Chapelle and 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 know one of the most famous temples of Paris in a comfortable experience and with preferential access.

Tickets to visit the Sainte-Chapelle have an approximate initial cost of 13 euros per person, in a general 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.

On the other hand, you can also opt to purchase a double ticket, which includes a visit to the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie and has an initial fee of approximately 20 euros. In this case the ticket also offers skip-the-line entry and in the Conciergerie you can opt for the assistance of an expert local guide.

People with physical disabilities 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 all visitors.

You can visit the Sainte-Chapelle with a single general admission ticket that includes adults and minors who are not residents or citizens of the European Union and has an initial cost of approximately 13 euros. This ticket does not provide access without queues and does not include the guided tour of the chapel, which you must hire on your own, if you want to live this experience.

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

In the case of 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 tourist card you will have the entrance to the chapel included. This will allow you to save money on the visit and also to enter this gothic temple without queues, because this pass also includes preferential access to most of its attractions.

On the other hand, the Paris Pass also includes entrance 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 to put together an itinerary. Definitely an ideal way to tour the city if you plan to visit Paris in 3 days or even less time.

Please note that the Paris Pass can be purchased for 2, 3, 4 or 6 days, which should be defined before the purchase of 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 it is not strictly necessary because this temple is signposted and with enough signage to understand its historical importance. These guides usually charge an additional fee that does not include entrance to the temple.

If you opt for the double ticket that also includes entrance to the Conciergerie, you will also get a guided tour that will allow you to discover 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 make no age distinction, so there are no special, discounted or reduced-rate tickets for younger children. However, all children under 18 years of age who are citizens or residents of the European Union can enter the chapel free of charge.

Keep in mind, however, that the Île de la Cité offers some of the best things to do with children in Paris, as there you can not only visit the historic buildings and temples, but also participate in themed excursions 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 authorized 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 tour when you make your reservation in advance.

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

The opening hours of the Sainte-Chapelle change according to the time of the year. If you plan to tour Paris in summer or spring you can enter every day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. This time slot applies from April 1 to September 30 each year.

On the other hand, if you plan to visit Paris during the winter and fall, the Sainte-Chapelle will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in an arrangement that applies from October 1 to March 31 of the following year. Note, too, that the last entrance to the building is 30 minutes before closing.

Also, the Sainte-Chapelle is open every day except January 1, May 1 and December 25 of each year.

Details of interest

• 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 reservation time to visit the Sainte-Chapelle is every one hour, which means that this time is enough to visit this building, both on the outside, where you can marvel at its radiant Gothic architecture, and 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 the entrance to the Conciergerie, the tour will be extended for about an hour more. 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 7 p.m. each day.

The Sainte-Chapelle presents different charms at different times of the year. Summer, especially from June to August, is considered the best time to visit, especially because during these months the city flourishes with warm weather and longer days, allowing you to enjoy the sunlight filtering through the chapel's stained glass windows, 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 lesser influx of tourists can allow for a quieter and more relaxing experience, plus 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 witness special concerts in this historic setting can make the visit a memorable experience.

You can reach 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 in the outskirts of the city, you can opt for lines B and C of the regional trains.

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

Visiting the Sainte-Chapelle will allow you to discover the Gothic splendor of the Île de la Cité and contemplate one of the most representative architectural jewels of the city. Also, inside the chapel you can admire the details that protect the stained glass windows, which are distributed in fifteen panels that represent, each one of them, the biblical scenes from Genesis to the Resurrection.

During your tour of the interior you should not miss the Gothic details of the construction, such as the flying buttresses and buttresses, which reveal the technical skill of the medieval builders and are manifested in the absence of murals to support the structure, designed to emphasize the verticality and luminosity. You will also be able to contemplate the height of the ceilings, which reach 75 meters in the main tower.

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

Last but not least, be sure to learn 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 testament 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 created by last-minute bookings. Also, remember that tickets are no longer sold at the box office.

On the other hand, don't forget to consider the time of your visit as a key factor to enjoy this site. The illumination of the stained glass windows is particularly striking in the morning or evening hours, especially during the summer in Paris, 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, do not 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 behavior. Also, do not forget that despite being a tourist attraction, it is primarily a religious building, so you should avoid disturbing the faithful who come to practice their creed.