pariswat

Hello
It took me a long time to go to Sainte Chapelle for a classic concert.
If you are in Paris don't miss this opportunity, you'll have the chapel for yourselves for about one hour, the music was nice (not really moving but nice) and it doesn't last so long that you get bored even if you don't like too much this music.
The chapel in itself is superb, difficult to believe it was built in early 13 century, the structure is very elegant, the tiles on the floor are beautiful and the stained glasses are absolutely fabulous - 2/3rd are still original ones.
Concert starts at 7 pm, you're asked to be there at 6 30 max and by 8 pm you are out.
Then off to a nice restaurant... not something difficult to find there.

manouche

pariswat - how crowded was the chapel? Also, did you buy tickets on-site or online? Visiting friends keep wanting to drag us over there for the concerts, but my wife really hates crowds. We've both enjoyed visiting the chapel many times during the day, but that was when you never had to wait in line.

I "triangled" cameronlab - maybe some others would do the same.

Ackislander

Not at all crowded when we have been (May) and no point in paying for premium seats as the venue is quite small.

It is a wonderful experience, but music lovers should know that all those hard surfaces make for an echo-y performance, not easy for the musicians. I wouldn't go for a piece that featured flutes because they would shriek.

The best part is that you are not rushed out so you have a much better opportunity to explore and photograph the chapel than you do during the day when it is very crowded and the security lines seem endless.

pariswat

We had the same experience as Ackis, it was absolutely not crowded.
I bought my tickets on Billetreduc, for a price of about 25 e apiece and was seated in the middle section (3 sectoins in total). The prices I had seen on official site was about 50 €.

The chapel is 10 meter by 33 meters, so cannot accomodate so many people... and a little bit more than half the seats were taken. There was really no crowd, we were quite on time and waited 10 min outside and about 10 - 15 min to be seated. Exit was very easy too.

I don't have a good ear, but the musicians yesterday did play the flute, the violin and 'clavecin'. I tend to like the flute but cannot tell you if acoustic was better or worse than somewhere else - I didn't hear any shrieking, but again, the musician ones in the family are my wife and the girls, not me. I'm more the heavy metal guy, but I like some nice classical music too....

mamcalice

We have been to Sainte Chapelle concerts perhaps a half dozen times. I find the experience delightful although I agree that it is not the very best venue for music. It is interesting, while listening to the concert, to watch the light through the stained glass fade. We usually go in September and it is always full but the chapel is not large so the crowd is not excessive.

Elizabeth_S

We went Christmas Eve a few years ago for the Vivaldi Four Seasons concert - it was lovely. (that particular evening it was sold out which was a good thing as the chapel was very cold and the bodies warmed it up!)

kerouac

I know it's not a big enough place, but I wish they were able to do the concerts in the 'proms' style, because I don't like be stuck sitting down for concerts like that. If I can wander around while listening to the music, I appreciate it much more.

Cathinjoetown

Every time I've been there has been a large space between the back row and the back wall. I don't think it is sold as standing room but I suppose you could walk around during a concert.

Just wanted to add a votr for church concerts in general. I've been to some excellent concerts at St. Julien le Pauvre, St. Sulpice, the Madeline, etc. IME, very good value and an opportunity to see the churches lighted.

DebitNM

Going off of what Liz said, not only is it cold inside (we were there late October) which I knew would be the cases, the seating was very hard benches - I want to say stone benches?? Perhaps that has changed....but it was very difficult for me to sit for the hour as I have sciatica issues.

We thought the concert was spell binding, it was so lovely to sit look, listen and soak in the ambience. We also heard Four Seasons. We bought ticket at a gift shop diagonally across the street from the chapel, near the corner closest to the river. Same day, IIRC.

pariswat

Debit,
There are chairs now. Of the foldable type but with a cushion on it.

DebitNM

inspiredexplorer

Thanks for this report, pariswat! I will be back in early September, and having missed Sainte Chapelle on my previous visit due to time constraints, this adds to me making it a priority on my upcoming visit.

Kathie

Thanks for this report. We wanted to get to a concert last trip, but didn't make it. Maybe next time.

topeater

We were there for the Christmas Eve concert a couple of years ago which was beautiful. However, it was so cold! They rented blankets which I gladly paid to use.

Scootoir

Glad to see a few of you attended Christmas concerts as we are considering this in early December. My concern is it will be cold so good to know they rent blankets.

KTtravel

I have been twice. The first time was particularly special as I really enjoyed the musical selections. The second time was also enjoyable but I wasn't as fond of the musical pieces. I would highly recommend going as it is a wonderful experience.

Gretchen

Crowd definitely depends on time of year and the concert offered I imagine. We were there in March once and it was sold out and crowded--and it was definitely chilly inside.
We tried to go on All Saints Eve for a wonderful chorale program and could not get tickets.
The usual program is Vivaldi's Four Seasons and other short subjects. The musicians often "ham it up". Sitting near the front is the most fun to be able to see.
And definitely folding chairs, not benches. Maybe at the very back?
Good info to buy at the shop if you need to.

milliebest

Is there a way to access Billietreduc in English. I tried google translate but it would not translate the page. If you buy the ticket, do they send it to you in snail mail or do the send an email ticket?

kerouac

You often have a downloadable voucher to exchange at the ticket office.

Naturally, you get an e-ticket for places that use e-ticket readers.

manouche

We just print the billetreduc tickets off the internet and they have always been accepted as "real tickets". Make sure that the barcode or that other "flash code" thing is complete and visible.

You might not be able to pay billetreduc with your US credit card unless you have previously notified your bank of this foreign transaction. Otherwise it will register as fraud and be denied. I don't think there's anything you really need to translate on this site, but you could always copy and paste it into GoogleTranslate.