When my husband and I were in Paris in Sep. 2006, even though we had museum passes, we waited about 2 hours to get through the security line at Sainte-Chapelle, have our bags inspected, and then finally see the cathedral. Luckily, we were in Paris long enough that we didn't mind the long line too much. My parents, though, will be there in about a week and a half. They only have 1.5 days in Paris. I think they would love to see Sainte-Chapelle, but not if they have to waste several hours in line. Has anyone been there recently? If so, could you tell me if there should be a long wait to see Sainte-Chapelle on a weekday in mid-October? Thanks.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY, United States
9 posts
I remember a couple of years ago having to wait a long time to get into Ste. Chapelle because of the way they only let in small groups at a time. Maybe if your parents get there like 1/2 an hour before it opens they won't have to wait. I know me and my friend had to go back twice because they weren't the same hours that other sites seemed to be open.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Gee,,I have heard such stories for some time, so this past August suspected that we would have a long wait. We had no pass, but waited in line for ticket,and then went through security.
Whole thing took may be 40 minutes. I thought it went pretty fast anyways.
Posted by
Marietta, Georgia
157 posts
Dana,
See if you can attend a concert at Sainte Chapelle.
That's what we did in July & it worked out fine.
By the way we got in line at 18:15 for a 19:00 fantastic concert. We were inside in 20 minutes.
Below is who we saw;
ORCHESTRE LES ARCHETS DE PARIS –Christophe Guiot, violon solo
Octobre 2007
Jeudi 11, Vendredi 12, Lundi 15, Mardi 16 à 19 h- Samedi 13 à 20 h 30
VIVALDI/les Quatre saisons-sinfonia-PACHELBEL/canon
ORCHESTRE LES ARCHETS BAROQUES-sur instruments d’époque
Thibault Vieux ou Christophe Guiot, violons concertants
Posted by
Canton, GA, United States
7 posts
We were there on Sept 22 at about 11:00 am and waited about half an hour. It was no big deal but could have been frustrating if our time was more limited. Another thing to consider: there was restoration work going on when we were there and the entire altar area was blocked off and couldn't be seen. You could see the rose window above and of course the windows to the sides but the rest of the front was not visable. It might be best for them to try again on another trip instead of using their valuable time and not seeing the entire thing.
Posted by
Federal Way, WA, USA
9 posts
I was there in August. We got there close to opening time and the line was not too long. (I don't remember how long, but it wasn't bad maybe 20 min.) I would second the recommendation to go to a concert. We saw a concert and it was one of the highlights of my whole trip!