Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the city's malcontents and misfits. In 1830, 1848, and again in 1871, the citizens took the
streets from the government troops, set up barricades
Les Miz
-style, and fought against
royalist oppression. During World War II, the locals rose up against their Nazi oppressors
(read the plaques under the dragons at the foot of the St. Michel fountain). Even today,
whenever there's a student demonstration, it starts here.
• From Place St. Michel, look across the river and find the prickly steeple of the Sainte-
Chapelle church. Head toward it. Cross the river on Pont St. Michel and continue north
along the Boulevard du Palais. On your left, you'll see the doorway to Sainte-Chapelle
(usually with a line of people).
Security is strict at the Sainte-Chapelle complex because this is more than a tourist
attraction: France's Supreme Court meets to the right of Sainte-Chapelle in the Palais de
Justice. Expect a long wait unless you arrive before it opens. (L'Annexe Café, across the
streetfromthemainentry,sells€1coffeeto-go—perfectforsippingwhileyouwaitinline.)
First comes the security line (all sharp objects are confiscated). No one can skip this line.
Security lines are shortest on weekday mornings and on weekends (when the courts are
closed), and longest around 13:00-14:00 (when the staff takes lunch). Once past security,
you'llenterthecourtyardoutsideSainte-Chapelle,whereyou'llfindWCsandinformation
about upcoming church concerts (for details, see
here
).
Next you'll encounter the ticket-
buying line—those with combo-tickets or Museum Passes can skip this line-up.
This triumph of Gothic church architecture is a cathedral of glass like no other. It was
speedily built between 1242 and 1248 for King Louis IX—the only French king who is
now a saint—to house the supposed Crown of Thorns. Its architectural harmony is due
to the fact that it was completed under the direction of one architect and in only six
years—unheard of in Gothic times. In contrast, Notre-Dame took over 200 years.
▲▲▲
