The Solo Scale:

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If you’re headed to Paris and intend to go see Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité, you’ll be well-positioned to see many other incredible sights on the islands. These include the Conciergerie, Pont Neuf, Hôtel-Dieu, and more! If you love architecture, art, or churches, you should spare some time to visit Sainte-Chapelle. It is truly one of the most incredible displays of stained glass windows in any church I’ve ever seen. Not only for its designs, but for the sheer quantity that you’ll see while you’re there.

You’ll want to buy tickets in advance for this experience. There’s a limited amount of room and given how popular Paris is these days, it’s not something to risk. Sainte-Chapelle is also included in the Paris Museum Pass. I strongly recommend getting this as it’s a fantastic value for the price. Plus, with so much to see on the Île de la Cité that’s also included, you can really optimize your visit.

Since it’s so popular, whether you want to use the Pass or not, you’ll need to buy in advance. They are working on timed entry at this point. Even if you have the Paris Museum Pass, you need to reserve in advance and plan what 30 minute slot you want to arrive in. There’s also going to be a line for security, so give yourself some time when you arrive. The chances are that you’ll have to spend at least 5-10 minutes getting through that line before you even get inside.

Once you’re through, your visit begins in the lower chapel which has a few more modest stained glass windows. It’s a fairly small area, but it’s just the prelude to the main event. When you’re ready, head upstairs for the truly breathtaking work in the main chapel area.

When you’ve done your turns in this area, it’s time for the main event. Head upstairs and take in the sheer overwhelming beauty of the stained glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle and the iconic rose window. This is the last part of the visit, but is the crown jewel of it as well. With a sunny day, you can spend a lot of time here marvelling at the beauty of the art and the way the light cascades in and paints the ground with colours.

Once you’ve spent your time admiring all sides of the stained glass, you can head off to the exit. You will pass a gift shop on the way. While this isn’t a long visit, it’s absolutely one that will leave you in awe of the ingenuity and breathtaking quality of art and architecture in a singular place.

To learn more about your visit and to reserve your arrival time, check out Sainte-Chapelle’s website here!

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