Today, I am doing a total about face and taking you to a chapel, a bit different from all the "cocktail-ing" we did the other day. But being flexible and open to ALL sorts of experiences makes one a better traveler and introduces one to so much more while they are traveling. That's my little personal lesson for the day.
Now for the matter at hand... Sainte Chapelle, a tiny jewel box of Gothic inspiration on the Ile de la Cite. It is tucked within the confines of the Palais de Justice-home to several French courts, making it heavily guarded and hard to find. Just look for the long line of tourists waiting to get in along Boulevard du Palais.
It was originally built by Louis IX in the 1240's to house relics from the Holy Land, specifically the Crown of Thorns and a piece of the True Cross. The interior has been completely restored, however, almost all the stained glass is original which I find amazing. The photo above, is the ground floor which is beautifully embellished with religious imagery and Gothic arches and holds a small gift shop.
It is this fabulous top floor chapel that I so want you to see. The height dwarfs everyone who enters and you feel very humbled by both the size and splendor. Then of course there's those amazing stained glass windows. If you are lucky, it will be a brilliant sunny day outside and the patterns in the glass will be reflected and repeated throughout the chapel. It's like being inside a rainbow.
The best time to visit the chapel is at night. And the only way you can do this is to attend one of the small, intimate classical concerts that are held here. Vivaldi's, The Four Seasons is one of my favorite pieces and when I saw an ad to see it performed in Sainte Chapelle, I jumped at the chance. No more than 200 people were in attendance and as the sun went down, the chapel was illuminated by a few "stage" lights at the alter where the performers where and overhead by chandeliers suspended on wires that disappeared in the dark. Have you seen the Harry Potter movie where the candles are floating over the tables in the dining hall? That's what this felt like. Then to have the sounds of beautifully performed classical music echo through this jewel-toned setting was truly a gift.
If this is something that you think you might want to do, I suggest you look into it either before you head over to Paris or the minute you get there. Concerts here are less frequent than at other churches around the city. And while those are nice-I have been to one at Abbey-Saint-Germain-de-Pres and Eglise de la Madeleine, the intimacy of Sainte Chapelle makes it so very special.
Additional ticket information and reservations: ampconcerts.com
