The Sainte-Chapelle’s lower chapel has a rich decoration. There you will see 140 capitals ornated with all nuances of the gothic flora : thistle, hawthorn, holly and even rose. You can also discover a bird pecking or a fantastic creature hiding in a corner. It’s all the wonderment for nature and Creation that is shown here.
The painted decoration dates back to the 19th-century restoration because the old paintings underwent many deteriorations caused by the Seine’s rises in level, time and History. Nonetheless, restorers did their best to respect the medieval aspect, especially by using the same dominant colors : blue, red and gold.
Ceilings and columns are sprinkled with fleur-de-lis, symbol of French monarchy, and with Castile castles, reminding us of the Spanish origin of Saint Louis’ mother, Blanche of Castile.
The struts, kind of flying buttresses, are here to contain the vaults’ thrust, enabling to free the building from large flying buttresses outside, unlike Notre-Dame for instance.
Before refurbishment works, there were gravestones on the floor, including that of Jean Mortis, first historian of the Sainte-Chapelle. This man was a choirmaster and a canon of the 15th century. There also used to be the tomb of Nicolas Boileau, poet of the 17th century, who teased the canons in one of his writings and yet was buried here. It’s probably thanks to his brother, himself canon of the Sainte-Chapelle, that he could benefit from a final resting place here.
