⚡ The Quick Scoop
The Vibe: A perfect day in Paris blending overwhelming royal architecture with peaceful, manicured nature.
Must See: The 1,113 pieces of stained glass wrapping around Sainte Chapelle, and the beautiful fountains of Luxembourg.
Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds!)
There are so many wonderful, beautiful churches in Europe, but the one in France that completely steals my heart is Sainte Chapelle. This church was made specifically for the royals, and you can feel it the second you walk inside.
In this post, we are pairing the overwhelming indoor beauty of Sainte Chapelle with one of my absolute favorite outdoor spots to relax: the stunning Luxembourg Gardens. Together, they make for the perfect Parisian itinerary.
👇 Choose Your Path
Sainte Chapelle: Built for Royals
Walking into that chapel still blows my mind. Sainte Chapelle is rich with deep reds and deep blue colors that are utterly stunning. The entrance is a beautiful tribute, honoring the coronation of Mary and the virgin child, but if you look closely, you will notice they have crowns on their heads just like Royals!
It definitely feels worthy of a queen and king. By the side of the door, the royal fleurs-de-lis and castles are intricately carved into the stone. Every detail at the entrance is designed to remind you that this magnificent place was built for royalty.
👑 Royal and Divine Connections
While it was undeniably grand for royals, it also possessed this special, smaller space where you could feel the warmth of getting help from above. The deep, warm colors kept it from feeling cold. The choir, with its seven-section hemicycle, was actually made to bear the immense weight of the heavy reliquary in the upper chapel above it. The ceiling is a deep royal blue adorned with fleurs-de-lis symbols, while the striking reds are decorated with stars—beautifully symbolizing the connection between the royal and the divine.
The Walls of Glass
The windows here are almost hard to fathom. They are incredibly massive, there are so many of them, and the colors are so vividly bright that they completely blow your mind. Instead of just having a few stained glass windows scattered around, all the walls are one continuous, huge, brightly colored stained glass window!
🙏 A Crowd Filled With Awe
The stained glass windows are made of 1,113 individual little pieces of glass. Together, they tell the stories of the Bible, moving clockwise from the bottom left with Genesis, leading up to Christ's life at the very top, and then following stories like Job and Esther as you come down the right side.
When we visited, the crowd was full, but it didn't feel chaotic like the crowds in Rome. Because of the grand arching lines and the breathtaking glass, there was a deep feeling of reverence here. Everyone in the room was calmer and simply filled with awe.
The Doors of Judgement
The doors of Sainte Chapelle are intricately carved with amazing depictions of Bible stories. We spent a long time just admiring how incredible these doors were! The Upper Chapel door represents the Final Judgement, and it is fascinating to look at.
⚖️ The Two Sides of Eternity
Above the door is a carving that depicts the stark contrast of eternity. On the left side (the right hand of Christ) are the righteous Saints experiencing the glory of being good and being with God. On the right side (the left hand of Christ) are those in torment, experiencing the Hell of not living a good life. Above it all sits Christ in His majesty, holding symbols showing He has the power of judgement.
As someone who loves dreaming up green-screen stories, I wouldn't dare mess with these amazing stories and the feeling of these doors. They command too much respect!
Relaxing in Luxembourg Gardens
You know that spot you really wanted to go to on your last vacation, but somehow it just didn't happen? For me, that was Luxembourg Gardens! That is exactly why, as soon as we landed and settled in Paris, I asked if we could PLEASE go here.
In France, this is called the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was created in 1612 by Marie de' Medici from Florence, Italy. She was in an arranged marriage to King Henry IV but struggled to keep his heart. After his death, she used her role as Regent to build this Palace in imitation of the Pitti Palace from her hometown. The original statues and plants all honor Florence!
💂 An Unexpected Senate Visit
As we headed down the street to the Palace, we were shocked to see so many armed guards! We were like... "What is going on here?" I hadn't done my research well and assumed we'd get to tour the inside of this awesome place. I did not realize that the Palace is currently used by the French Senate, which is why it was so well guarded!
You walk in the gate, and the Palace is on your right. But turning to the left and seeing the beautiful fountains and the two-level paths immediately redirected me to just enjoying the magnificent gardens. It was wonderful in and of itself!
⛵ The Mystery of the Fountain
When I was up on the second tier of the gardens, looking down at the beautiful hexagonal pond, I saw some cute kids playing with something in the water. By the time I walked down to the main level, they were gone! It was a total mystery to me at the time.
I later learned they were playing with Les P'tits Voiliers—the famous vintage wooden sailboats that children push around the fountain with long wooden sticks! It is such a charming, nostalgic, and storybook detail that perfectly matches the vibe of the park.
👗 A Green-Screen Fantasy
Since Sainte Chapelle commands way too much reverence for me to film a green-screen skit there, Luxembourg Gardens is the perfect alternative backdrop! In fact, I already have the perfect outfit ready to go.
Think: a beautiful Regency-style tea party dress, elegant white gloves, and a dashing gentleman in a top hat! Ooh la la! Can't you just picture us strolling through these manicured gardens like French nobility? C'est magnifique!
Because of this trip, I now have a water fountain in my kitchen, and I LOVE it! Whenever I hear the relaxing, soothing sound of the water, it takes me right back to the peace of these beautiful European gardens.
Transport Yourself: 360° VR Tours
Experience the overwhelming beauty of Sainte Chapelle in full 360 degrees! Click and drag the street views and videos below to look around.
The Stained Glass Masterpiece
The Intricate Door Carvings
Inside the Upper Chapel
Outside Sainte Chapelle
Luxembourg Gardens: The Hexagonal Pond
Luxembourg Gardens: The Second Tier
Enjoying the higher view of the statues and the gardens.
The Parisian Scrapbook
A collection of my favorite moments from the stunning Sainte Chapelle and the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens.
✨ Ask the Parisian Guide
Curious about the history of the Chapel, the stained glass, or the Gardens? Ask our AI Guide!
A Beautiful Balance
This perfect day in Paris reminded me of the beautiful balance we need in life. We need moments like Sainte Chapelle—where we look up in absolute awe, recognizing the divine, and feeling inspired by things so much greater than ourselves. But we also need moments like the Luxembourg Gardens—where we can find grounded peace, rest, and simple joys right here on earth. I hope this VR journey brought a little bit of both into your day!
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
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