Sainte Chapelle

I was delighted to get to bring everyone into my favorite little Chapel. Annie suggested I visit this hidden gem in the summer of 2000 and though it has definitely picked up notoriety as a tourist stop, not a thing has changed. And today we were lucky enough to visit on a sunny afternoon without clouds or rain, which allowed the incredible stained glass windows to glow.

Even my travel-weary warriors were in awe.

The King of France (Louis IX of Saint Louis) built this chapel in seven quick years during the 13th century to house Jesus' Crown of Thorns, acquired by Saint Louis. Scenes from old and New Testament are the subject of the 1,1113 windows.

I love how you can't even see it from the road and enter a court yard of newer public courthouses and offices. It's not much to speak of, really. There are pieces of the chapel on the ground surrounding the monument within a fence. After you walk around back and enter, it is hard to believe the phenomenonal ambience of the space you just walked around.