The Reason for the Visit
I decided to visit Sainte-Chapelle in April of this year on a trip with my family. I was actually the only one able to get a ticket because we decided to go last minute. So while I waited in line to get into the chapel, they went to the Notre Dame Cathedral. They said that while it was beautiful, it was shocking to see how much stained glass there was in Sainte-Chapelle.
The walls of the upper level of Sainte-Chapelle were covered with floor to ceiling stained glass. It was truly awe-inspiring to see. While I took many photos, they simply don't do it justice. It is something you have to see in person during your lifetime.
How I Heard About Sainte-Chapelle
When I went to college, I took many art history classes, since I was an art major. In one of them, I learned about Sainte-Chapelle. As soon as I saw it, I just knew I had to go visit it someday. The pictures made it seem otherworldly. It had these little dots that reminded me of stars all along the ceiling, as well as extremely detailed stained glass. As you can see from the photo above this on the right, there are tiny little dots all across the ceiling.
I personally find it fascinating that they focused on detail to that extent. To me, it shows just how much the artists and architects cared about their work. They wanted people to come in and feel as if they were in the presence of something greater than themselves. At least, that's how it felt to me when I went.
What To Expect
This information could be useful to people going for the first time. My first piece of advice is to arrive early. You never know if the trains will be down, if the security line will take forever, or if something unexpected happens. While I happened to make it in time, they are known to turn away visitors if they miss their time slot. They know that security takes a while, since the chapel is on the grounds of an administrative government building. Though they want you to be prepared for that.
When you go there, be sure to check out the first floor first. While it is not nearly as impressive as the second floor, it is still quite pretty. To get to the second floor, you'll need to go up a set of tight stairs. Though I will mention that there is an elevator if you need wheelchair access.
The most important piece of advice is to have fun. Sainte-Chapelle is unlike anything you'll ever encounter, so enjoy it while you can. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
