Sainte-Chapelle, view from the south west

Sainte-Chapelle was built in the middle of the 13th century to house the precious relic of the Crown of Thorns and is possibly the most perfect surviving medieval ensemble. Built in only five years from 1243 to 1248 it captures the best in art at that time. It is famous for its architecture and sculpture but especially for its exquisite stained glass. The interior has been described as a floating vision of heaven on earth.

Lecturer Nicole Mezey, a native of France, spent many successful years at Queen’s University Belfast as lecturer and director in Arts History and Humanities programmes. Nicole now works as a freelance Art History lecturer and consultant. She delivers lectures, visits and study tours in Art History for organisations including The Arts Society, the National Museum of Northern Ireland, Queen’s University, The Course, Arttalks:Artwalks and the National Trust. She lectures in French for the Alliance Francaise and affiliated groups. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and of the Higher Education Academy and her publications focus on adult education and the arts.