Will be in Paris soon and am wondering if the classical concert at SC is worth the 44 euros per tic. We have seen SC twice but it is supposed to be very special as the sun sets and light streams into the building. Does the tic include the cost of admission? The tics we are considering are purchased online from classictics.com. Would they be less expensive bought at the tic booth near the entrance? Advice appreciated!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
There are two problems here. The first one is that if buying the tickets at Sainte Chapelle, you might find they are all sold out for the date you want. The second one is that I got royally screwed by classictics.com a few years ago, when the concert we had bought tickets for through them did not actually take place. If I had to do it again, I'd opt for buying them when in Paris.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1326 posts
Susan - We bought our tickets a couple of days in advance at the ticket booth near the entrance. Yes, the ticket includes admission. It was a fun concert and worth the money to me.
Posted by
Fredericksburg, TX, USA
74 posts
If you have the Rick Steves guide to Paris you can get discounted tickets at the St. Chappelle ticket office for Euromusic concerts. The details are on page 480 of the 2011 Guide to Paris.
Posted by
Mentor on the Lake, OH, USA
251 posts
We bought our tickets in advance and enjoyed the concert immensely. It was well worth the cost, especially since we had toured the building earlier and there was not any one in the ticket booth. Just an FYI, for the concert we entered through the Palais de Justice, the doors to Saint Chapelle were locked and there was no one there. It was only by asking a policeman that we dscovered where we were to enter.
Posted by
Novato, CA, United States
172 posts
We were on a Steves' tour and visited SC. We noticed an add for a concert that evening. We bought our tickets on the spot about 5-6 hours before the concert. No problem. They put up folding seats inside as many as they need to accomodate tickets bought. The concert was fabulous, most certainly worth it! The accoustics are not to believed!
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2758 posts
We bought our tickets for the concert (mid week in late September) the day before when we visited St. Chappelle. We decided to do it because so many people on this site recommended it so strongly. After we bought the tickets, I remember thinking my gosh this is expensive, maybe this wasn't such a great idea. I am not hugely into music. Well, we absolutely loved the concert. It was one of my favorite things we did in Paris and was definitely worth the money.
Posted by
Tulsa, OK, US
42 posts
Is it possible to get tickets before leaving the US? I tried to figure out the euromusic website today, but wasn't successful. Sorry to highjack the thread!
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1326 posts
Lisa - Try Classictic.
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
449 posts
Hi Susan: I attended a performance of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" at SC in the mid-1990s when admission was $25 (or about 125 francs). It was a nice concert in a beautiful and relatively small setting. The economy of France probably hasn't improved since then so I should tell you that it was the first venue in that city that I attended where there was an expectation that one tips the usher who shows you to your seat Also, the minimalist program cost a few bucks. Maybe that has changed. Also, as you know since you have been to SC before the police will want to see your passport, will ask questions, and x-ray your handbag (at least they did in the 90s). Enjoy the concert.
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
449 posts
Susan: One other comment. A frequent question that comes up on this forum: are the French rude to Americans? When I went to the judicial buildings where SC is located and got lost amid the court rooms a very nice English speaking French man when out of his way to guide me to the box office where I purchased the ticket. It is probably the best example of friendly behavior displayed to me on my visit. George