Ste. Chapelle: A Hidden Jewel Box For Paris Concerts

Think of Paris, and you immediately look to the icons: the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. You could be on Île de la Cité, just two blocks from the Notre Dame, and not know you’re walking right past Ste. Chapelle, one of the city’s true jewels.

If you see this building, you’re close. Look for the sidewalk sign.

Ste. Chapelle is a stunning 13^th century Gothic church, bathed in walls of stained glass, built by King Louis IX as the royal family’s private chapel. Originally it was surrounded by the palace. Today it’s tucked in behind the building known as the Conciergerie, which houses much of the Ministry of Defense.

Ste. Chapelle is especially dramatic on summer evenings.

Why Just Tour, When You Can Enjoy a Ste. Chapelle Concert?

You can pay to tour Ste. Chapelle, but the best way to experience the chapel’s true beauty is by attending a concert. Make it a night out and live like a local. For us, music at Ste. Chapelle makes our Paris Top 10 list.

Someone to watch over you as you enjoy the concert.

We’ve been twice, and last time chose a performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. It’s one of our favorites and it was beautifully performed. We arrived just a few minutes before the concert time and found seats in the second last row. But the sound was still spectacular.

In fact, a knowledgeable Parisian concertgoer sitting behind us mentioned to his friend that in churches like this, he sits at the back. He liked the sound better. That was good enough for us!

This is the actual entrance to the church, hidden in a courtyard.

Buy Ste. Chapelle Concert Tickets Here

Check the schedule and get your official Ste. Chapelle concert tickets in advance to ensure you get in. You can also choose tickets for the concert and dinner, or concert and champagne on the order page.

Get there early. Plenty to look at and admire.

A Few Things to Remember

There are no assigned seats. Get there early, save yourself a seat, and then take in the stained glass windows and statues. You’re looking at the illustrated story of the Bible told in over 1,000 panels, both old and new Testaments. Photography is allowed before or after the concert.

Ste. Chapelle Location:

On Île de la Cité, 8 boulevard du Palais, across from St. Michel (Google maps link). Nearest Métro station is Cité.