Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie in Paris: tickets and visits in 2027
Standing a short stroll apart on the Île de la Cité, the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie show two sides of one royal palace. On one hand there is the soaring devotion of Saint Louis, who commissioned a shrine made almost entirely of glass in the 13th century; on the other, the Revolutionary Terror, when the neighbouring Gothic halls became the final waiting room before the guillotine. This guide brings together everything you need to plan the visit in 2027: single or combined tickets, seasonal opening times, the security screening at the Palais de Justice gate and the most rewarding order in which to see both buildings.
Why the Sainte-Chapelle is still the high point of Parisian Gothic
Saint Louis had the Sainte-Chapelle raised between 1241 and 1248 at the heart of his palace on the island, to house the Crown of Thorns, pieces of the True Cross and other relics of the Passion bought at enormous cost. It was consecrated on 26 April 1248. Who designed it is still debated: tradition credits Pierre de Montreuil, but no document proves it.
Two chapels stacked inside the Sainte-Chapelle
The building has two storeys. The lower chapel, dedicated to the Virgin, was used by palace staff; its vault, painted with fleurs-de-lis and stars, feels surprisingly low. A spiral staircase then brings you up to the upper chapel, kept for the king and his circle, where the walls seem to have been swapped for light.
The stained-glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle
The official ticket office counts 1,113 stained-glass scenes, telling the biblical story from Genesis right through to the arrival of the relics in Paris. Since the relics left the chapel during the Revolution, it is now the glass that makes the trip worthwhile. The building also owes a great deal to the major restoration carried out from 1836 to 1863 by Félix Duban and Jean-Baptiste Lassus, often described as one of the most successful of the 19th century. The Île de la Cité and the banks of the Seine as a whole are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
From the Sainte-Chapelle to the Conciergerie: a palace turned prison
The Conciergerie is the oldest surviving visible part of the medieval palace on the island. Its halls were later given over to the courts and to imprisonment. During the Revolution, the Revolutionary Tribunal sat here in 1793 and 1794, and hundreds of defendants spent their last days within these walls.
The Hall of the Men-at-Arms, next door to the Sainte-Chapelle
Roughly 61 metres long and 28 metres wide, this four-aisled hall ranks among the largest civil Gothic interiors in Europe. Further on, the Guard Room and the royal kitchens, with their corner fireplaces, round off the medieval section.
Marie Antoinette, from the Conciergerie to the Place de la Révolution
The queen was moved to the Conciergerie at the beginning of August 1793 and stayed until 16 October 1793, the day she was executed. An expiatory chapel created in the 19th century marks the site of her cell. The route also recreates prisoners' cells according to what inmates could afford: shared straw bedding for the poorest, a furnished cell for those able to pay. The prison only closed for good in 1934.
The HistoPad at the Conciergerie
An augmented-reality tablet called the HistoPad lets you see the rooms as they looked in the Middle Ages. The monument says it is handed out until 4.15pm, so arrive in good time if you want one.
Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie tickets: single, combined or guided
There are three ways in. A single ticket opens one of the two monuments. The combined ticket covers both for less than the two separate entries added together. A guided tour adds an expert who ties the two stories together: the Capetian monarchy on one side, the Revolution on the other.
Official Sainte-Chapelle prices (indicative)
| Option | Visitors from outside the European Economic Area | EEA residents |
|---|---|---|
| Sainte-Chapelle only | €22 | €16 |
| Combined ticket Sainte-Chapelle + Conciergerie | €30 | €23 |
| Conciergerie only | from €13 | from €13 |
Prices are indicative, checked October 2026. Free entry applies, among others, to under-18s, to 18 to 25-year-olds who are nationals or residents of the European Union and the EEA, to disabled visitors and one companion, and to jobseekers, on proof of eligibility. Entry is also free on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December, and those days are noticeably busier.
Guided tour of the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie
The guided option suits travellers who want to decode the imagery of the windows, which is hard to follow on your own, and to grasp the timeline of the palace. The price on the day appears in the booking module on this page.
Sainte-Chapelle opening hours and the best time for the light
The two monuments do not keep exactly the same hours, which matters if you buy the combined ticket.
- Sainte-Chapelle: 9am to 7pm from 1 April to 30 September, 9am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March; last entry 30 minutes before closing; closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
- Conciergerie: 9.30am to 6pm every day, last entry 5.30pm; closed on 1 May and 25 December.
When to see the Sainte-Chapelle windows
The glass looks different depending on the sky. On a clear day, morning sun warms the east-facing bays around the apse; late in the afternoon, the great western rose takes over. An overcast sky gives more even colours, which is pleasant for photographs without glare. In winter, the 5pm closing leaves little leeway, so go in the morning.
Crowds at the Sainte-Chapelle
The upper chapel is a confined space, and every visitor goes through the same Palais de Justice security check. The first slots of the day and weekdays outside French school holidays tend to be the quietest.
Getting to the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie on the Île de la Cité
The Sainte-Chapelle is at 10 boulevard du Palais, inside the Palais de Justice compound; the Conciergerie is at 2 boulevard du Palais, on the Quai de l'Horloge side. The two entrances are only a few minutes' walk apart.
Metro and RER to the Sainte-Chapelle
- Metro line 4: Cité, the nearest station.
- Metro lines 1, 7, 11 and 14: Châtelet, then cross the Pont au Change.
- RER B and C: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, then cross the Pont Saint-Michel.
- Buses: routes 21, 24, 27, 38, 58, 81, 85 and 96.
Walking to the Sainte-Chapelle
From the Louvre, allow about fifteen minutes along the Seine to the Pont-Neuf. From Notre-Dame, simply cross the Rue de la Cité and head up towards the boulevard du Palais.
Security, bags and accessibility at the Sainte-Chapelle
Because the Sainte-Chapelle sits within the law courts, its security screening is stricter than at most Paris monuments. Large bags, glass bottles, sharp objects, helmets and electric scooters are refused, and confiscated items are not returned. Bring a small bag and leave yourself time before your slot.
Visiting the Sainte-Chapelle with children or in a wheelchair
The Sainte-Chapelle route is listed as suitable for wheelchair users, but pushchairs are not allowed in the upper chapel, so a baby carrier is more practical. At the Conciergerie, pushchairs must fold to go through the X-ray scanner; ask the monument about wheelchair access there, as conditions differ between the two sites.
Dress and etiquette inside the Sainte-Chapelle
The building is no longer used for daily worship, but a degree of quiet is appreciated in the upper chapel. A flash adds nothing in front of stained glass: adjust your phone's exposure to the light coming through the windows instead.
How long to allow for the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie
Plan on about 45 minutes for the Sainte-Chapelle, including security, and one hour to an hour and a half for the Conciergerie, depending on how much you use the HistoPad. With the combined ticket, half a day is enough.
Suggested order starting from the Sainte-Chapelle
- Begin with the Sainte-Chapelle at opening time, when the upper chapel is at its least crowded.
- Walk along the boulevard du Palais to the Conciergerie.
- Finish with the Hall of the Men-at-Arms, then the Revolutionary quarters and Marie Antoinette's chapel.
In winter, doing it the other way round is risky: the Sainte-Chapelle closes earlier than the Conciergerie.
Around the Sainte-Chapelle: the Île de la Cité, the Seine and Paris in 2027
The area easily fills a whole day. Notre-Dame de Paris, open again since December 2024, is five minutes away; the flower market and the Place Dauphine, a triangle framed by 17th-century façades, are close by. The Square du Vert-Galant, at the tip of the island, is a common starting point for a Seine river cruise.
Pairing the Sainte-Chapelle with other sights
The Louvre lies just across the Pont-Neuf, and the Latin Quarter begins on the Left Bank as soon as you cross the Pont Saint-Michel. Classical music concerts are regularly held in the upper chapel; look up the 2027 programme when you plan your stay.
Choosing your season for the Sainte-Chapelle
Spring and autumn offer days long enough to enjoy the windows without the July and August crowds. Summer lets you keep going until 7pm, which frees up the morning for another monument.
Booking the Sainte-Chapelle with the calendar on this page
The calendar shown above is straightforward: pick the day you will be on the Île de la Cité, then press “Check availability”. You will see straight away whether places are still open that day for the Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie or the guided tour. If the date is full or not yet on sale, leave your email address and we will write to you as soon as a slot frees up. Online booking is handled by our booking partner, and the actual price for the day is shown before you pay anything.
Sainte-Chapelle: practical information
Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie ticket alert
Get the newly opened dates, price changes and our tips for visiting Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie in Paris by email.
Sainte-Chapelle FAQ
Is the combined Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie ticket worth it?
Yes, if you want to see both monuments: the combined ticket is listed at €30 for visitors from outside the EEA and €23 for EEA residents, against €22 or €16 for the chapel alone and from €13 for the Conciergerie. Prices are indicative, checked October 2026.
What time does the Sainte-Chapelle close in winter?
From 1 October to 31 March, the Sainte-Chapelle is open from 9am to 5pm, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. From April to September it closes at 7pm. It is shut on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Which items are refused at the Sainte-Chapelle security check?
The monument stands inside the Palais de Justice, so large bags, glass bottles, sharp objects, helmets and electric scooters cannot go through, and anything held back is not returned. Travel light and leave some margin before your time slot.
Can I visit the Sainte-Chapelle with a pushchair?
Pushchairs are not allowed in the upper chapel of the Sainte-Chapelle, so a baby carrier makes the visit easier. At the Conciergerie next door, pushchairs need to fold so they can pass through the security scanner.
How much time do the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie take?
Allow around 45 minutes for the Sainte-Chapelle, security check included, then one hour to an hour and a half for the Conciergerie. Half a day covers both, ideally starting with the chapel in the morning.
More things to do in Paris near Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle calendar 2026-2027: pick your day
Tap a day to check availability and get the email alert. on sale · not open yet (we’ll alert you) · checked 13 October 2026.