I just have a little more than a day in Paris. I haven't been to the Ste Chapelle in my last few trips and am planning to spend my day on the Ile de France. I'm not remembering if there's any way to cut time in line at the Ste Chapelle. Any way to prepurchase ticket and skip the line? Or any other suggestions? When the Ste Chapelle opens, I'll be at 10 AM Mass at Notre Dame, so it will be around noon on a Sunday before I can get to the Ste Chapelle... not a set-up for a short line. Any suggestion?
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2776 posts
The problem is the security line. Unless they've changed things since I was there three years ago, there is no way to avoid that. It's best to get there early in the day, but maybe you'll be lucky. Ste Chapelle was my favorite place in Paris.
Posted by
indianapolis
228 posts
sherry,
last year at this time, the 'long' line we stood in went through quickly. the line is caused by waiting to pass through the governmental security/metal detectors, and we were through in 10 minutes. have a great time!
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Like others have said, there is a security line that you must go through because the entrance is also the entrance to the Palais de Justice (courts). On certain days, at certain times, that line may close. This does not mean that Ste. Chapelle is closed, rather that the security guards are taking a break/eating lunch. You may want to ask about this before getting in line. And while it sometimes moves fast, it doesn't always move fast in my experience. Once you get through that line you may find a second line to get tickets to Ste. Chapelle. If you have a museum pass you can skip this line. Just walk up to the entrance and show your ticket/pass. Enjoy your visit!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
33 posts
A few years ago I was fortunate to attend a concert in the Ste Chapelle. If there happens to be one the evening you are there, that is a wonderful way to experience the Chapelle.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Just a nit-pick: the Ile de France is the region around Paris (the city and its suburbs). You probably mean the Ile de la Cite (the island in the middle of Paris, where Notre Dame and Ste-Chapelle are located. Yes, as others are saying, the problem is the security line, which you cannot avoid (Ste-Chapelle shares an entrance with courts buildings).
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
If you havent done it before- stand in line and grit it out. It is fantastic. Well worth the wait. (i was lucky and had virtually no line ar all)