Sacred Music at the Royal Chapel of Versailles
Location
1 Place Léon Gambetta, 78000 Versailles
Capacity 800 seats
Duration
Between 1 h 30 min and 3 hours
With or without intermission
Details
Classical music concert
For all audiences
In several languages
HIGHLIGHTS: SACRED MUSIC IN ROYAL CHAPEL OF VERSAILLES
PREMIUM OPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
CONCERT PROGRAMME
Reviews
Royal Chapel of Versailles
History and Fun Facts about the Royal Chapel of Versailles
If buildings could talk, what would they say? Certainly, the Royal Chapel of Versailles could tell a tale or two! After all, it was the venue for the marriage between the last king and queen of France: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The chapel’s construction was completed in 1710 during the reign of Louis XVI’s great-great-great-grandfather, Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. It was the fifth and final chapel to be built at the Palace of Versailles, and it was consecrated to Saint Louis, the patron saint of the king, as well as one of the king’s ancestors.
The architecture itself references this lineage, through several similarities with the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, which Saint Louis had founded, as well as in the emblazoned double-L motif on the altar symbolizing the saint, and the Sun King together. The vaulted ceiling of the Royal Chapel of Versailles was constructed by Hardouin-Mansart, without the use of transvers ribs, in order to create a vast, uninterrupted depiction of the Holy Trinity, above the heads of the congregation. For decades, this painting would look down on the French Royal Family as they took their daily mass, an event which became renowned across Europe for its use of music, played on a huge organ designed by Cliquot.
The Royal Chapel of Versailles also incorporates classical-inspired designs in its impressive colonnades, which we have come to associate with the Neoclassical boom of the 18th century, however, the chapel’s construction was completed long before the movement really came to prominence, showing that its architects were truly ahead of their time. Since the chapel’s deconsecration in the 19th century, it has become a go-to venue for classical concerts, and so it should be, having been the epicenter of European music in centuries gone by. What better place to experience the history of music!
Fast facts
Capacity: 800
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)
FAQ
How do I get to the Royal Chapel of Versailles?
The Royal Chapel of Versailles is accessible by:
RER: Line C (station Versailles Château Rive Gauche), from this station, the castle is a 10-minute walk.
Transilien: Line N (station Versailles Chantiers), line U (station Versailles Chantiers), line L (station Versailles Rive Droite), from this station, the castle is a 25-minute walk.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Paris
The Royal Chapel is located within the Château de Versailles. To get there, follow the signs for Entrance B at the top right of the Cour d'Honneur.
You can find a map to guide you to the the Royal Chapel’s ticket office in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.
What do I do when I get to the Royal Chapel of Versailles?
We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of sacred music concerts, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Royal Chapel of Versailles’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
How long do the sacred music concerts at the Royal Chapel last?
The sacred music concerts at the Royal Chapel of Versailles last between 1 hour 30 minutes and 3 hours, with or without intermission.
Are the sacred music concerts at the Royal Chapel for an international public or French speakers?
The sacred music concerts at the Royal Chapel of Versailles are for everyone. The programme is full of well-known sacred musical masterpieces. All you have to do is let yourself be carried away by the music and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Royal Chapel of Versailles.
Is there a dress code at the Royal Chapel of Versailles?
There is no specific dress code at the Royal Chapel of Versailles , but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.
For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress.
Can I choose my seat when booking?
When purchasing tickets, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category! Premium categories offer exclusive access to the best seats in the house. See the section “Premium Options and Experiences” to learn more about our premium options.
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.
I bought tickets for the sacred music concerts at the Royal Chapel in Versailles and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?
Yes, it’s completely normal! Your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Royal Chapel of Versailles can assign your seat. You may see a pre-payment on your card, but rest assured that we will not charge your card until your reservation has been validated by the Royal Chapel of Versailles. Once the reservation is confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Royal Chapel of Versailles has to manage, this process usually takes two business days, but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.