Paris - Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics.

Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned.

Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture.


After I had left the Sainte Chapelle, I strolled around the yard and found many entrances and doors to the Palais de Justice. In a corner is a waiting room for people who want to visit the remand prisoners - and there is this huge vending machine. Of course, there is much better café au lait or café crème everywhere in Paris, but this coffee may be the cheapest. The coffee from this vending machine only costs 0,40 Euros. I had three cups!


sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/