Just returned from Paris and of course saw Ste Chapelle.
Inside, towards the front on the right side, there's a rectangular hole in the wall with a small door, about a foot square. I thought I'd read years ago (or saw on Rick's show) that the king used to sit in a small secluded room and view the service through that window (it definitely faces the altar). That way he didn't have to put on all his finery, and could basically go to church in his jammies.
But when I asked the docent about it and mentioned the king, she pointed to two medium-sized alcoves (on the left and right), and said the king would sit in one, and the queen the other. I asked her what the hole was for, but I couldn't understand her answer with my limited French.
Anyone else heard that story about the king's private viewing window?
Edit to add: No problems at all, felt safe the whole time (US Thanksgiving week). Additional police presence, French families out and about, everything open. Only change I noticed was a few museums had a security guard who wanded you and had you open your coat. And lots fewer tourists. The restaurants are hurting as a result.