Stained Glass

Rose Window at Notre Dame

If you're a fan of stained glass and cathedrals, then Paris is a great place to visit.  Probably the two best places to see are Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle.  Both are located on the Ile de la Cite--the other island in the middle of the River Seine.  Most folks visit Notre Dame as it is more well known and there is no admission fee.  While there is an admission fee for Sainte-Chapelle, it is covered with our museum pass.  Both cathedrals are designed in the Gothic style.

Sainte-Chapelle -- each circle depicts a scene from the Bible

Sainte-Chapelle was specifically built by Louis IX in the 13th century to house precious relics, including the purported Crown of Thorns worn by Christ.  Much of the stained glass still dates to that time period and is currently in a 5 year restoration project.  Sainte-Chapelle has 15 large panel windows that stretch some 45 feet high, each representing various books of the Bible.  In a sense it's actually two churches in one, as it is two levels--the lower level sans stained glass where the servants and commoners could worship, and the grand upper level replete with stained glass--reserved for the king and whom he chose to allow in.