Expiatory Chapel

★ 4.4 (736)$ · Budget-friendly

The Chapelle Expiatoire was commissioned in the early 19th century to honor Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, marking the former cemetery where their remains were initially interred after the Revolution before being moved to the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Tucked behind gates near Saint-Lazare, it remains one of the city's lesser-known historic sites, appreciated by visitors precisely because it stays off the main tourist circuit.

✨ Reasons to go

1Built by Louis XVIII on the site where the guillotined remains of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were first buried before reburial at Saint-Denis
2Marks the former Madeleine cemetery used for Revolution victims, later commemorated at their daughter Marie-Thérèse Charlotte's initiative
3Remains one of Paris's lesser-visited monuments despite its royal history, offering a quiet setting away from the main tourist circuit

💡 Good to know

1A quiet, uncrowded alternative to the more famous royal sites
2check opening hours in advance, they're limited compared to major monuments
3combine with a walk through the nearby Saint-Lazare/Madeleine area.

⏱️ Typical visit

20 min

🕰️ Best time

morning, lunchtime or afternoon

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

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Address

29 Rue Pasquier, 75008 Paris, France · OpéraGoogle Apple

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Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"The Chapelle Expiatoire was one of our favorite sights in Paris. This small chapel was built by Louis XVIII to commemorate the place where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were unceremoniously buried, after their executions. A small altar in the lower section shows the exact spot the King’s body was recovered."

— Louis and Elaine

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