It is one of Paris’s most spectacular yet underrated landmarks. On Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Sainte-Chapelle will participate inEuropean Heritage Days with completely free admission, no reservation required (compared to the usual price of 22€). During this weekend, all you’ll need to do is show up at the entrance to discover this Gothic masterpiece nestled in the heart of the former Palais de la Cité.
Built in the 13th century at the request of Saint Louis, the Sainte-Chapelle was intended to house the relics of the Passion of Christ acquired by the king, including the Crown of Thorns. The building was directly integrated into the royal palace and organized on two levels: a lower chapel intended for the staff and an upper chapel reserved for the sovereign, his family, and the canons.
The 1,113 scenes depicted in the stained-glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle
It is upon ascending to the upper chapel that the visit takes on a whole new dimension. The walls seem to almost disappear behind 15 immense stained-glass windows, about two-thirds of which are still original. They depict scenes from the Old Testament and the Passion of Christ through 1, 113 scenes, spread across several hundred square meters of stained glass.
Inside, you can see an Annunciation considered to be the oldest mural in Paris. Outside, the current spire—rebuilt in the 19th century based on a medieval model—rises 75 meters above the ground.
For those who have never been inside, this weekend will be one of the best opportunities to explore— free of charge —a monument that is easily visible from the Île de la Cité, but whose interior is far more impressive than its façade suggests.
Location: Sainte-Chapelle, 10 boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris
Hours: Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; free admission, no reservation required.