Is Sainte-Chapelle worth it?

I agree, it is!

When I go up to the 2nd level I do what one of my early RS Guides, Dimitri, told me he always does when he visits. He keeps his eyes down on the floor until he gets himself centered and away from people behind him. Then he looks up and takes in the magnificent glory of the stained glass.

He suggested the same thing at the Baptistry in Florence.

Is the reason to see it just for the stained glass? Does the building have a history making it worth some research prior to visiting?

I have very mixed feelings. if you are going for the structure, it is a good visit. The place is amazing. If you are going for the so-called "concerts" (which are more theater-for-tourists), you will be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the musicians themselves are talented. But it is just a staged show that any serious patron of the arts probably wouldn't appreciate.

Allan, it does have history worth learning about. (But I'd have to look it up and I'll let you do that for yourself.)

Phil, the concerts aren't that good musically, though the musicians are talented and the pieces are well-known classics. Also the seats aren't very comfortable. But they provide a chance to experience the setting in a relaxed way, with music instead of chatter. I think they're in the evenings, which means you don't see the light coming through the glass, so they're no substitute for a daytime visit. But I haven't regretted going to a few of them over the years.

It‘s great! But even better when combined with the Conciergerie next door, which is often overlooked by visitors to Paris. Both were part of the former Palais de la Cité. Marie Antoinette was held in a prison cell in the Conciergerie until meeting her unfortunate demise.

In 2019, we took our 2 teen sons (12 and 16) to Paris. My husband and I had been there twice before. My 16 yo is VERY into WWII history/military history. (He was very impressed by the armed guard.) We walked around the first level a bit, and I led the way upstairs. As soon as we entered the chapel, I heard my 16 yo gasp out loud. Yes, it’s worth it!

Yes, it does have history worth researching. Then you can look for the king’s hiding spot!

The concerts are the same cookie cutter concerts you find in any church in the Western world that does concerts all year round. Adequately performed, but there's only so many times in a lifetime you need to sit on uncomfortable chairs listening to Pacabel's Canon and Adagio for Strings.

Forget the building's history. My mom and I knew noting about it only that it was a church. We had to stand in line for a half hour just to get on the second floor. You will complain because the inside is mostly dark and grey. Until you actually turn that corner and step into the King's Chapel. Everyone gasps-you just can't help it as you see that beautiful stained glass.

Go.

This from their own web page:

A gem of Gothic style. Built in seven years, an impressive feat, the Sainte Chapelle was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis.

Religious and political influence. Having these sacred relics in his possession made the already powerful monarch head of western Christianity.

Stunning stained glass. Arranged across 15 windows, each 15 metres high, the stained glass panes depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris.

I’ve been a few times and it never fails to awe. One time, Oct 2019, it was the most crowded I’d ever seen it. The chapel was abuzz with voices. Suddenly somebody, loudly “SHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” — and the entire place went silent for at least 30 seconds. When people resumed speaking, it was much more subdued and hushed. It was kinda of magical. :-).

My first time I audibly gasped. I go back every trip to Paris.

It is, but try to either go on a sunny day, or better yet, on with scattered clouds, when the place does a sort of light show. Going on a deeply gloomy rainy day, or in the evening is just not the same.

SO WORTH IT. Sainte-Chapelle is the image that most abides from my first visit to Paris 18 years ago.

❤️ LOVE! And because that is not enough characters, LOVE!

Lots of people here have captured it -- walking up into that upper room is one of the few times I have walked into a space and gasped. It's incomparably beautiful. Exquisite.

This is my favorite site in Paris; it’s stunningly beautiful. We also went to a concert there and enjoyed it immensely. (I say that as someone who doesn’t know a lot about music.)

The Sainte Chapelle is one of two major Paris sight I have never been to. The other one is the Catacombs. I'll have to address that someday... lived here my whole life so no excuse! Thanks for the reminder!

Simon's above music critique is bang-on. That certain sameness regarding musical performances can sometimes be yawn-inducing.
But trust me when I tell you, that the old shows there in decades past were so special, so excellent, so peak-experience that they were worth crossing an ocean for.

I don't wanna be all 'back in the good ole days before it all got compromised' on this post, but if one was lucky enough to snag tickets to say the medievalists 'Ars Antiqua' (the original, not the current-day version) with their star vocalist Joseph Sage, then you'd have a lasting memory. The unique music, combined with that stained glass environment, created a special atmosphere like no other.
We snuck in a pro tape-recorder to capture the show.

Frank is correct. One should still visit.
I am done. the end

I visit St. Chapelle every time I'm in Paris - sometimes more than once. There is NO other room like it in the world. When I take people who have never seen it I love watching their faces when they first enter...priceless!

Ars Antiqua live @ Sainte-Chapelle with the great Joseph Sage. I rest my case.
I am done. The end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvDSlpLja5I

When we went to the concert(in the summer), it was early enough that the sunlight was streaming through the windows-gorgeous!

Yes!! Loved!

If sun is streaming through the windows, yes.

It is absolutely worth seeing. I have been twice.

Is it worth it? You bet - unless it's not for you. We all like different things. But I am another emphatic "yes",
The Rick Steves tip of keeping your eyes down until you're in the proper position to look up is a good one, but don't discount the trip up the stairs. I find it moving to look down and see the unmistakable channel that has been worn into the stone steps by countless footsteps. How many people before you have added to that?
As for the concerts, this again is a matter of taste. True, the music itself is not likely to be a lifetime high. But the setting can be. If you can pick the concert that's done as the sun is setting, you begin with the stained glass brightly illuminated and end in a darkened room with only the performers illuminated. It's quite wonderful.