When you think of Paris, the beautiful and awe-inspiring Notre Dame Cathedral comes to mind. It's huge pale stone towers stand out as a symbol of Île de la Cité, of Paris and indeed of France.
However, there is another stunning church on the island in the Seine who's reputation can't compare to Notre Dame's. The Sainte-Chapelle is just a few roads over, located on the grounds of what was formerly the Palais de la Cité - the royal palace of Kings of France until the 14th Century.
Though this church was completed in the mid-1200s, its beauty remains timeless. As a visitor, you enter into the lower chapel, which is a dark but decorated room with ornate stonework and rich reds and blues painted on the walls. The real star of the show, however, is the high chapel which features 15 huge stained glass windows depicting biblical tales. The beautiful high ceiling encourages even more light to filter through the windows which creates a sort of golden hue inside the chapel.
Though this chapel is very small compared to Paris' grand cathedrals, Notre Dame and Sacré Cœur, I find this one certainly more breathtaking. It feels like summer inside with the brilliant colours, rather than the dark shadows made by typical cathedral stonework.
The Sainte-Chapelle can be visited free of charge for under 26 EU citizens, and combined tickets can be bought for a visit to the Conciergerie (former palace and subsequent jail, with a particular focus on the Revolution) next door.
This is the perfect place to visit if you have already seen the Notre Dame and are trying to discover new things to see in Paris. You'll never see such a beautiful church!
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