|Gothic-style architectural masterpiece|
Sainte Chapelle Paris : The Sainte-Chapelle (1241 beginning of construction -1248 opening) is a Gothic-style architectural masterpiece with stunning stained-glass windows. Having bought the Sacred Relics from the Emperors of Constantinople, Louis IX called Saint Louis managed to increase the city’s worldwide prestige, making Paris the second Christian capital in the world. The relics were 3 times more expensive than the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle.
Sainte Chapelle Paris location
Île de la Cité is the very center of Paris and the location where the medieval city was founded, certainly the oldest part of Paris or Lutèce for its first name. The Île de la Cité is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris, with some of the main landmarks, like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie.
King Louis IX, future Saint Louis, build the Sainte chapelle in Paris to house the most prestigious relics of the Passion of Christ: the Crown of Thorns and the fragment of the True Cross.
These relics were handed over to the Archdiocese of Paris in 1804 and are kept in the Treasury of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral until the fire in April 2019; since that date, they have been deposited in the Louvre Museum.
Saint Louis and the Sainte-Chapelle
Saint Louis, born Louis IX of France (1214–1270), was one of the most pious and influential monarchs of medieval Europe. His reign marked a high point in the Capetian dynasty and in the symbolic unity of Church and monarchy. One of the most significant projects of his reign was the commissioning of the Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel located within the medieval Palais de la Cité in Paris.
Why Did Saint Louis Build the Sainte-Chapelle?
Louis IX ordered the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle around 1241, and it was consecrated in 1248. The primary reason behind this grand architectural project was to house the Passion relics, most notably the Crown of Thorns believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. These relics had been acquired from the Latin Emperor of Constantinople, Baldwin II, at an enormous cost, both financially and politically.
By building the Sainte-Chapelle:
- He affirmed his devotion: Louis was deeply religious, and the chapel served as a tangible expression of his personal piety.
- He reinforced royal authority: Possessing such sacred relics elevated the prestige of the French monarchy, positioning it as a divinely favored power in Christendom.
- He aligned France with divine will: In a time when religion underpinned governance, Louis used the chapel and its relics to present France as the “new Jerusalem” and himself as a monarch chosen by God.
The Sainte-Chapelle was not only a place of worship but also a political statement—visually and spiritually linking the French Crown to divine legitimacy.
Why Is Louis IX the Only Canonized French King?
Louis IX is the only French monarch to have been canonized by the Catholic Church, becoming Saint Louis in 1297, just 27 years after his death. Several reasons explain this unique sanctification:
- His Personal Piety: Louis lived a life marked by humility, charity, and devoutness. He prayed daily, fasted, and washed the feet of the poor, emulating Christ’s humility.
- Justice and Governance: He was known for his fairness and strong sense of justice. He established reforms in the legal system and insisted on the king being accountable to Christian values.
- Crusades: Though ultimately unsuccessful, his leadership of the Seventh and Eighth Crusades was seen as an act of religious devotion. His death during the Eighth Crusade in Tunisia added a martyr-like dimension to his legacy.
- Moral Example: Louis was admired throughout Europe for his saintly lifestyle and Christian kingship, becoming a model of the “ideal Christian ruler.”
No other French monarch combined such deep personal piety, public virtue, and religious symbolism with enduring historical impact. His canonization by Pope Boniface VIII made him a unique figure—a saint who was also a king, embodying both heavenly grace and earthly power.
Sainte Chapelle Paris floors
Sainte Chapelle Paris is made up of two floors. Only the King and his royal court had access to the top floor chapel and this is where the relics were kept. The first-floor chapel was the place of worship of the Palace personnel.
The stained glass windows of the chapel date from the 19th century on subjects proposed by François de Guilhermy and made by Steinheil.
During the French Revolution the Sainte-Chapelle suffered heavy damage. The remaining relics that survived the Revolution were moved to Notre Dame Cathedral’s treasury, and now to the Louvre Museum.
During Lent, the veneration of the Crown of thorns presented to the faithful took place every Friday at 3:00 p.m. and on Good Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Saint Germain l’Auxerrois church in Paris, next to the Louvre.
Upper Chapel
The upper chapel was built as a reliquary. It was decorated lavishly with sculptures and enormous stained glass that fill the chapel with light and colour.
The 15 stained glass windows, which leave just enough room for the chapel’s columns, are made of 1,113 scenes that narrate the history of mankind from Genesis to the resurrection of Christ.
Lower Chapel
The lower chapel holds the statue of the Virgin Mary, patron of this sanctuary. The interior polychrome decoration, which is mostly red and blue, recreates the original medieval decoration.
The eastern apse still preserves a fresco of the Annunciation made during the thirteenth century, which is the oldest mural in the city.
During the French Revolution, the Sainte-Chapelle—like many religious buildings in France—suffered significant damage and desecration. Revolutionary ideals were strongly anti-clerical, and churches were seen not just as religious institutions but also as symbols of monarchy and privilege. Here’s what happened to the Sainte-Chapelle during that turbulent period:
Destruction and Transformation During the French Revolution (1789–1799)
Relics Removed and Dispersed:
The most sacred purpose of the Sainte-Chapelle—to house the Passion relics, including the Crown of Thorns—was brought to an end. In 1791, the relics were transferred to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris for safekeeping. Eventually, they became property of the state and many were lost or destroyed. The Crown of Thorns survived and is now held in the treasury of Notre-Dame (currently in safekeeping since the 2019 fire).
Chapel Desecrated:
The chapel was stripped of its religious function. It was secularized and repurposed as a storage facility for legal archives by the Ministry of Justice. The lower chapel was used for office space, and the upper chapel—which once held the relics and was the main royal chapel—was treated with little regard for its artistic or spiritual significance.
Destruction of Stained Glass and Statues:
Much of the stained glass and sculpture was damaged or destroyed. Revolutionary mobs broke windows and decapitated statues of the apostles and biblical figures, mistaking some of them for images of the French kings. Fortunately, about two-thirds of the original stained glass panels survived.
Architectural Neglect:
Over the revolutionary and post-revolutionary period, the Sainte-Chapelle fell into disrepair. Its architectural significance was not widely appreciated until the 19th century.
Sainte Chapelle Restoration in the 19th Century
Under the influence of growing interest in medieval art and architecture—especially during the reign of Napoleon III—the Sainte-Chapelle underwent a major restoration in the mid-1800s, led by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. His team restored the stained glass windows, sculptures, and painted decoration, aiming to return the chapel to its original Gothic splendor.
Despite the damage, Sainte-Chapelle remains one of the most stunning examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture, and its surviving stained glass is considered among the most remarkable in Europe. This church is a gothic style gem and is considered a masterpiece of 13th-century architecture. Have a private walking tour on the Ile de la Cité to discover our Gothic Treasures from the Catholic church, kings of France and the Republic.
Emy,