Then we made our way to Saint Chappelle. At first we didn’t realize that this was what we were going towards but the long line spiked our interest so we jumped in.
This sign put Mom and me in stiches. Items not to bring into the church: forks, scissors, tools, knives and box cutters. Knives and box cutters are no brainers. I understand tools because they don’t want their stuff stolen. I guess scissors could be a weapon but what in the world is going on with the fork? If there is a sign up then someone has had to have done something. Still makes me giggle.
The outside of Saint Chappell was breath taking. There were gargoyles everywhere! Some of the stone features even reminded me of lace.
Getting closer to the door was this carved into the wall.
Then we got to the double doors.
Then finally in inside. This is the bottom room. It’s very bright and pretty but I was thinking “This is it?”
Then we walked upstairs. I lost the ability to speak.
The set of fifteen 13th-century stained glass windows in the upper chapel is a masterpiece that gave Sainte Chapelle its popularity. The restoration program (2008 to 2013) involves cleaning the glass, lead came, and metallic structures of seven of the windows.
The pattern is applied to the inner side of the stained glass using grisaille enamel. Where this was applied after the firing of the glass it has started to crack and has been damaged due to condensation. In addition to this, a varnish applied to the glass in the mid-twentieth century has blackened over time. The master glass painters, using infrared light to see through the layer of dirt that has built up on the glass, will remove the varnish without altering the designs. Holes in the original pattern will be filled in by a separate pane, that will contain the reconstruction, which will be placed over the original.
An experimental technique has already been used on two windows in the chevet to protect the stained glass from atmospheric damage and condensation. This new technique, from the outside, creates the impression that you are looking at the original stained glass window.
This is done by placing new, thermoformed glazing which looks like the original stained glass, onto the old metallic structures. This way moister cannot come into direct contact with the original glass but will run off the overlay glazing.
The lead came holding the individual pieces of glass in position have been damaged by atmospheric pollution will be replaced by new ones. The 13th-century saddle bars that hold the panels together have been reinforced.
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| Rose Window (Click to enlarge) |
There was a little door off to one side that I snuck over to. A rope was in place so I couldn’t go very far but on both sides sat these really pretty columns with Bibles scenes on them.
.Up above the Bible columns were the saints.
Even the floor had paintings!
Then we tracked over to see the famous Church of Notre Dame and the really weird green statue that was in the Church’s plaza.
Then our legs gave out and we made our way to the train station to catch our train back to Pouters. When we go to the train station we saw this mini flee market going on! We were so excited we forgot about being tired for a moment and went to take a look.
I love French pastries!
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