I had visited the chapel of Sainte-Chappelle on my first visit to Paris in 1982. I had always remembered the beautiful stained glass there, and the small private chapel and the expanse of polished timber. I was keen to see it again, as we had been put off on our 2008 visit by the huge crowds.
This time we pelted back from our tour of L'Orangerie to make sure we were in the queue by the final admission time of 5.30. Only to be told that you have to be in the queue by 5 to make the 5.30 admission! We turned away, disappointed, then saw posters for a concert in Sainte-Chappelle that night, Vivaldi's Four Seasons. We turned back and were informed that we could buy tickets down the road at 6.15 and the doors would open at 6.30 for the 7pm concert!!
So we plumped ourselves down in a local cafe across the road and had a restorative glass while we waited for 6.15.
We bought our tickets and went in through the Palace of Justice.
What an amazing place to have a concert!! The light was still bright, though not sunny, but strong enough to show up the glorious colours.
The back door, where we came in, and the beautiful rose window:
the windows above the organ loft
The chamber orchestra taking their places
The conductor and solo violinist and master of the chamber orchestra, Frédéric Moreau
The chamber orchestra he conducts, and plays with, is Les Violons de France.
This is a great way to get inside Sainte-Chappelle without queuing for hours, and you get to hear beautiful music!! Though you can't see the small chapel unless you take the tour. But something to remember for future visits. The cost of the concert was 30euros, and for that we got the hear Meditation of Thais, the Four Seasons and other lovely pieces, and sit in the chapel for an hour and a half!
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