I am going to Paris the first week in April and have started some research. The Paris tour books by Rick Steves have lots of information on which days and times to visit sites to avoid crowds. Has the closure of Notre Dame significantly changed the flow of tourists in the city? I imagine most of the crowds have migrated to Sainte-Chapelle, when would be a good time to visit Saint-Chapelle? Thank you.
Posted by
Chicago
8060 posts
People don't randomly show up at Notre Dame and say 'oh who knew it was closed' and migrate to Ste. Chapelle. If anything there may be fewer visitors there given the blockages in the Island of Cite where both are.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
I was in Paris this past October and actually went by Sainte-Chapelle just to see what the lines looked like. It was pretty empty looking so I went in even though I hadn't really planned to - so I guess my experience is that no, it did not affect it for my visit.
I'd consider going on the weekend, possibly Sunday, because the security line is also for people going into the French Court building as well and the courts are not open on the weekend. I'd plan to go at opening on Sunday.
Posted by
OP
Washington DC
6 posts
Thank you, Pam.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
Glad that is helpful. IF you have the Museum Pass, be sure to duck into the Concergerie which is at the far end of the street from the Sainte-Chapelle entrance. It's where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution.
Posted by
Chicago
8060 posts
FWIW. People visiting the court complex for business do not stand in the same security line as the tourists visiting Ste. Chapelle do so this is not an issue in choosing a time.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
They go thru the same metal detectors and scanners. Yes, it is a separate line so the security person managing the line alternates who goes. In October when I went the lines were opposite of when I had been previously. In previous visits the court folks were lined up going south, and the Sainte-Chapelle visitors were lined up back toward the exit gates and the Concergerie. This time the Saint-Chapelle visitor were lines up on the south side of the entrance door. Occasionally you could show your Museum Pass and the outside security guard would let you into a separate line for the security scanner. That did not always work, though.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1825 posts
In early October I got to St Chapelle at opening time on Saturday. There was hardly anyone in line at security and no line to get in. I had been before a couple times and there were fewer people than previous visits. It made for a wonderfully relaxing visit.