We are looking forward to our April 2027 Paris and the Heart of France tour,
As we study up and get ready for our trip, we wanted to ask if the RS tour sees the inside of Sainte Chapelle. From the itinerary description, we visit the site, but it is not very specific if it is exterior and interior. We are wondering if we need to buy tickets for the interior
Anyone information will be greatly appreciated
The tour website lists the below sites that you will visit (go inside) during the tour: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/france/best-france-tour
You'll get at least 12 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on this 2027 tour of France:
I’ll add that Sainte-Chapelle does not allow guides to guide inside the building so your guide will likely gather everyone outside after you clear security to give a short talk and will tell you the meet up spot. (Yikes, that is very awkward wording but you get what I mean?)
On my first visit my Best of Europe guide, Dimitri, told us when we got to the top of the stairwell to the main chapel to keep our heads so we were looking down. Walk to the center of the room, THEN look up for the full impact of the windows. I always do it that way now…magnificent!
Enjoy this tour, it’s wonderful!
It's behind the gates of the Palais de Justice, so it's not like something you can walk up to and just look at. You go through security and then you'll go inside. It's amazing!
Been twice. Pro tip: Do not carry a pocketknife, as it will be confiscated. Always stunning.
Thank You everyone for your input !!!
Note that when you enter, you'll be in the lower chapel, located directly beneath the famous upper chapel. The lower chapel has stained glass, too, but it has other exhibits and counters. You go upstairs to the upper chapel, where there are informational sheets you can hold while you look at the various stained glass window panels.
The upper chapel is where concerts are frequently given. If you go to a concert, you'll pass through security just as you do to visit Sainte-Chapelle in the daytime.
The Wikipedia article provides a wealth of information about this amazing building. If you scroll down to "Interior" you'll learn about the lower chapel vs. upper chapel.
