I am thinking about going to this concert at Sainte Chappelle. From what I have gathered via search of the forum, everyone enjoys concerts there. What I have not found on the search is whether you can really visit the chapel in the process, or if you just go in, take your seat, wait for the concert, listen, then leave. I presume photography is not allowed - or is it? It says that you should get there 45 minutes early - does that mean you can walk around and check things out before the concert begins? Thanks!
Bryan
Posted by
Green Bay
20072 posts
Yes, you can look around at the windows before the concert. The lower chapel is closed, you enter the upper chapel through the adjacent office building after going through a security check. I don't remember about photography, we did not take any pictures. If you can take photos it would be no flash.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2712 posts
St Chapelle is not that big. Just sitting down for the concert you can take in the stained glass windows, which are the highlight. I don't remember if you can walk around before the concert, but you definitely can't visit the lower level, which I really loved. This is based on a concert I attended four years ago. Hopefully someone who has bern there more recently will pipe in.
Posted by
USA
85 posts
I've been to 2 concerts in St. Chappelle - both were fantastic! We arrived about 60 min. early and were first in line. Got to sit right up front. You can wander around the upper chapel (where the concert is being held) before it starts, but it's not a very large room. The huge stained glass windows are beautiful. You cannot go down to the lower chapel, though. Photography was allowed (not sure about now) but I didn't use - or need - a flash.
Posted by
Walnut Creek
230 posts
You can wander around the upper floor for a bit before the concert starts (they advise coming a half hour before the concert starts). The space is filled with chairs, but especially with a pair of medium power binoculars, I don't think the experience is that different than when you come during the day. In fact, because of the late afternoon sun, the windows are spectacular. Photography is allowed. I got some beautiful pictures using a beanbag to shoot in low-light conditions. We got the "cheap seats" in the back and they were great from the standpoint of enjoying all the windows during the concert. If you sit in the front, you can see the musicians, but you won't be seeing all the windows during the concert. If you have never been to St. Chapelle, a concert may not be the best way to visit the chapel because you cannot see the lower chapel, but concerts are a great way to avoid lines and ultra-thorough bag searches on subsequent visits.