Sainte-Chapelle hosts medieval music on 22 October
Published on 10/11/2026 at 01:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- Musiques au temps de saint Louis takes place at Sainte-Chapelle in Paris on 22 October 2026.
- The concert presents thirteenth-century sacred music with the Schola de la Sainte-Chapelle at 7pm.
- Restoration of stained-glass windows continues at the monument in 2026 while visitor access is maintained.
- The programme connects the chapel's thirteenth-century foundation with the musical traditions of medieval Paris.
Sainte-Chapelle and Musiques au temps de saint Louis come together in Paris on 22 October 2026, when a concert of thirteenth-century sacred music marks 800 years since the coronation of Saint Louis. The programme places the Schola de la Sainte-Chapelle within the Gothic chapel founded by the king.
Medieval music returns to Sainte-Chapelle on 22 October
Musiques au temps de saint Louis is listed by the monument as a show and festival combining concert, dance and theatre. The concert begins at 7pm on Thursday 22 October 2026, and the official programme names the Schola de la Sainte-Chapelle as the performing ensemble.
The programme draws on music associated with the thirteenth century, including chants from the office and the Mass. It includes the medieval forms conduit, organum, motet and rondeau, with repertory dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint Nicholas, Saint William of Bourges and the relics held by the chapel. The monument's official programme page gives the date, venue and musical outline.
The concert reflects the chapel's medieval foundation
Saint Louis founded the chapel in the middle of the thirteenth century to house relics of the Passion. Its original purpose makes the October programme more than a concert in a historic setting: sacred music linked to the period is being presented inside the building created for royal liturgical ceremonies.
The Schola de la Sainte-Chapelle was created in 2020 by Brigitte Lesne, who directs its musical and artistic work. Its programmes focus on sacred music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including repertory that may have sounded beneath the chapel's vaults or relates to its history.
At the same time, the Centre des Monuments Nationaux says restoration continues in 2026. Work covers two stained-glass bays, identified as those of Jeremiah and Tobit, and Judith and Job, while sculptures and stone surfaces are also being treated. The 2026 restoration programme states that visitors remain welcome during the work.
Restoration continues while the October programme proceeds
The stained-glass campaign follows work begun in 2025 on the Ezekiel bay and is scheduled to continue until 2028. Conservation includes cleaning, strengthening leadwork, selective replacement of damaged elements and protective secondary glazing. These measures mean the October concert takes place while an active conservation project shapes parts of the visitor experience.
The event's historical theme also reaches beyond the building. The programme uses manuscripts of Parisian origin for its monodic repertory, while its polyphonic works are copies of music from the Notre-Dame school. That connection ties the chapel's royal foundation to the wider musical culture of medieval Paris.
Visiting Sainte-Chapelle: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Musiques au temps de saint Louis takes place on 22 October 2026 at 7pm inside Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.
- The concert is held within the Palais de Justice complex, so security checks are required before entry and the organiser advises arriving 30 minutes before the start.
- The monument stands at 10 boulevard du Palais in the 1st arrondissement. Cité station is served by Metro line 4, while Saint-Michel is served by RER lines B and C.
- Visitors will encounter continuing stained-glass restoration in 2026, but the monument operator says access is maintained during the work.
- French is the official language and the currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Sainte-Chapelle
When does Musiques au temps de saint Louis take place at Sainte-Chapelle?
The concert takes place on 22 October 2026 at 7pm.
What is being restored at Sainte-Chapelle in 2026?
Restoration covers stained-glass bays, sculptures and stone surfaces, while visitor access is maintained during the work.
Where is Sainte-Chapelle and how do you get there?
The monument is at 10 boulevard du Palais in Paris. Cité is the nearest named Metro station on line 4, and Saint-Michel serves RER lines B and C.
