Tucked within the bulk of the Law Courts (Palais de Justice), the spire of Sainte -Chapelle soars. This was the private chapel of Louis IX (the only French king who is now a saint). It was built in only 6 years (1242-1248), completed under the direction of one architect--unheard of in Gothic times. (in contrast, Notre-Dame took over 200 years)
It is a cathedral of glass like no other---light shines through stained glass like God's grace shining down to earth. There are 15 separate panels of stained glass, with more that 1100 different scenes, mostly from the Bible.
It is a cathedral of glass like no other---light shines through stained glass like God's grace shining down to earth. There are 15 separate panels of stained glass, with more that 1100 different scenes, mostly from the Bible.
Everywhere you look there is color and detail painted on columns, cornices, capitals, arches...it just takes your breath away.
This was the location for our "Grande Finale"--a concert of music by Vivaldi! Can you imagine the consumate experience of being surrounded by such beauty visually, being engulfed with such melodic wonder, knowing you were sitting in the house which supposedly housed the Crown of Thorns. What a memorable way to end our tour of France!
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