The Ultimate Guide to Seine River Cruises in Paris

Notre-Dame Cathedral Tickets – Here is what you need to know!

Notre-Dame Cathedral Tickets - Here is what you need to know!

After years of extensive restoration work following the devastating 2019 fire, Notre-Dame Cathedral is open to visitors. Entry to the cathedral remains free of charge. Given the high volume of visitors – around 40,000 people daily – the cathedral has implemented a smart system to manage crowds.

While spontaneous visits are possible, they likely involve long wait times. To help visitors avoid these long queues, the cathedral offers a free reservation system allowing people to secure specific time slots. This system is available through a dedicated platform, where visitors can book their preferred entry time either the day before or the same day of their visit.

Visitors can explore the cathedral’s interior and its treasury. However, it’s worth noting that exterior work is still ongoing at the chevet (eastern end) of the cathedral. Additionally, the City of Paris plans to redevelop the cathedral’s surroundings.

For current visiting arrangements and updates, check the cathedral’s social media channels and official website.

Notre-Dame Audio Guided Tour

Although entry to Notre-Dame is free, many travelers choose to book the Notre-Dame Audio Guided Tour, starting at just €7, which offers complementary information and enriches the visit. The 1-2 hour self-guided experience includes an audio guide narrated by a professional historian, available in 7 languages. 

Visitors receive one-year access to 31 audio recordings covering the cathedral’s Gothic architecture, medieval art, and fascinating history. The tour comes with an offline map for easy navigation and explores the cathedral’s stunning stained glass, frescoes, and notable landmarks from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Notre-Dame de Paris Archeological Crypt Tickets

The Notre-Dame de Paris Archeological Crypt is located beneath the esplanade of Notre-Dame Cathedral and offers visitors an immersive journey into Parisian history. The crypt is open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM most days, with the last entry at 6:20 PM. On Thursdays, it remains open until 9:00 PM with the last entry at 8:20 PM. Note that it’s closed on Tuesdays.

The ticket includes entry to the archeological crypt and access to the current exhibition “Dans la Seine,” which showcases 150 objects collected from the Seine River representing different episodes of Parisian history. If you choose the guided tour option, it includes an English-speaking guide.

While exploring the crypt, you’ll discover the metamorphosis of the prehistoric Île de la Cité island and see how Paris developed over 2,000 years. You can view remains of Paris’ oldest port from the Gallo-Roman era, the Hôtel-Dieu hospital ruins, and the historic rue Neuve Notre-Dame street.

The facility is wheelchair and stroller accessible. However, there are no toilets inside, though public washrooms are available nearby. Tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled once purchased. You’ll receive your voucher via email immediately after purchase, and you’ll need to show it on your mobile phone along with a valid photo ID at the redemption point: 7 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France.

Important to note that while this is located at Notre-Dame, the ticket does not include entry to the Notre-Dame cathedral and tower, which is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prices start from €9, and you can choose your entry time and stay as long as you like during operating hours. You can also find more options here.

Notre Dame Guided Tour

If you’re looking for a Notre Dame guided tour, you’ll find a variety of options available that showcase this iconic Parisian landmark and its surrounding area. Tours typically run daily and can be booked in advance, with prices ranging from €19 for basic walking tours to €69-100 for more comprehensive experiences.

One of the most popular Notre Dame guided tours is this tour, operated by “ExperienceFirst”. This 2-hour tour combines a 45-minute exterior cathedral walk with a 75-minute self-guided visit to the archaeological crypt. Priced at €36 per person, it includes English and Spanish guided options, meeting at the Statue de Charlemagne. The tour receives a 4.3/5 rating from 482 reviews.

What to Expect on a Notre Dame Guided Tour?

Most tours operate with small groups of 15-20 people to ensure a more intimate experience. Your tour will begin at one of several meeting points around the area – commonly at the Equestrian Statue of Henry IV on Pont Neuf, the Statue of Charlemagne, or outside Café Panis. All meeting points are easily accessible by Metro, and you should plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start time.

A typical tour lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours, during which you’ll explore the exterior of Notre Dame Cathedral and learn about its Gothic architecture, historical significance, and the ongoing restoration efforts following the 2019 fire. Many tours include visits to additional significant sites like Sainte-Chapelle or the Archaeological Crypt, often with skip-the-line access included.

Tour operators offer flexible booking policies, including free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour and the option to reserve without immediate payment. While English is the primary language offered, many tours are also available in Spanish and Italian. Your guide will be a professional historian or certified local expert who can provide in-depth knowledge about the sites.

As these are walking tours, comfortable shoes are essential. Be aware that there are restrictions on large bags and sharp objects, particularly when entering monuments like Sainte-Chapelle. While most standard tours aren’t wheelchair accessible, some operators do offer accessible options – it’s best to verify this when booking.

The experience typically includes exploring Place Dauphine, taking in Seine River views, and discovering Paris’s medieval origins. Tours usually conclude at either Sainte-Chapelle or the original meeting point, and guides are often happy to provide recommendations for further exploring Paris.

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Éternelle Notre-Dame

As Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopens its doors, visitors can also experience the “Éternelle Notre-Dame“, an immersive virtual reality experience that offers a unique way to explore this iconic monument. This stunning VR journey allows tourists to discover Notre-Dame’s rich history and architecture while the actual cathedral completes its restoration.

Éternelle Notre-Dame - What can you see?

Éternelle Notre-Dame is a stunning virtual reality experience that lets visitors dive into 850 years of the cathedral’s history. For 45 minutes, visitors equipped with state-of-the-art VR gear, including a headset and backpack computer, embark on an unforgettable journey through time.

The experience allows exploration of typically inaccessible areas, including the ancient timber framework and bell towers. Visitors can walk through the cathedral as it appeared before the 2019 fire and witness its evolution across centuries.

This groundbreaking experience is available in multiple languages, including English, French, and Spanish. Created with cutting-edge technology by Amaclio Productions, it offers the closest possible experience to visiting the actual cathedral while restoration continues.

Tickets & Practical Information

Tickets for Éternelle Notre-Dame must be booked in advance, with prices starting from €30.99 per person. The experience is popular among visitors and often sells out, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Your ticket includes complete virtual reality equipment (headset and backpack), access to the exhibition about Notre-Dame’s restoration, and an audio guide available in multiple languages (English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese).

For the best booking experience, it is recommended to purchase tickets through Tiqets, which offers a user-friendly platform, 24/7 customer support, digital tickets, and discounted combo packages. Through Tiqets, you can also select a refundable ticket option, allowing for a full refund if canceled by 23:59 the day before your visit.

Another excellent option is booking through GetYourGuide, a highly-rated platform that offers flexible booking options, including “reserve now & pay later” feature. They also provide 24-hour free cancellation and maintain high customer service standards with extensive verified reviews from past visitors.

Visitors should arrive at 6 rue de la Cité, 75004, Paris, 15 minutes before their scheduled time slot. The experience operates from 10:00 to 20:00, Tuesday through Sunday. Please note that this experience is recommended for ages 11 and up and is strictly prohibited for children under 8 years old.

How to Get There?

The Éternelle Notre-Dame Meeting point at 6 rue de la Cité in Paris’s 4th arrondissement is located on the Île de la Cité, very close to Notre-Dame Cathedral. The easiest way to reach it is by taking the Metro line 4 to Cité station, or alternatively, you can use lines 1, 11, or 14 to Châtelet station and walk across to the island. You can also reach it via RER B or C, getting off at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station.

Once you reach the Île de la Cité, you’ll find rue de la Cité is one of the main streets running through the island. Number 6 should be easy to locate as it’s a relatively short street. The location is very central and well-served by public transport, being close to both Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Hôtel-Dieu hospital.

Opening Hours

Day Hours
Monday 10:00 – 20:00
Tuesday 10:00 – 20:00
Wednesday 10:00 – 20:00
Thursday 10:00 – 20:00
Friday 10:00 – 20:00
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris stands as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and remains one of the world’s most recognizable religious monuments. Construction began in 1163 during the reign of King Louis VII and took nearly 200 years to complete. The cathedral sits majestically on the Île de la Cité, an island in the Seine River, marking the historic heart of Paris.

The cathedral’s architectural innovations were groundbreaking for its time. Its use of flying buttresses, which allowed for higher, thinner walls and larger windows, revolutionized medieval architecture. The massive rose windows, particularly the North, South, and West roses, are masterpieces of Gothic art, filtering sunlight through intricately detailed stained glass to create an otherworldly atmosphere within.

Notre-Dame’s twin towers rise 226 feet high, dominating the Paris skyline. The cathedral’s iconic spire, which tragically collapsed during the 2019 fire, was added during Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century restoration. The building’s exterior is adorned with countless gargoyles and chimeras, serving both practical purposes as water spouts and symbolic ones as guardians of the sacred space.

The cathedral has witnessed numerous historic events throughout its 850-year history. It was here that Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor in 1804, with Pope Pius VII in attendance. The cathedral survived the French Revolution, though it suffered significant damage when revolutionaries converted it into a Temple of Reason and later a wine warehouse. During World War II, the stained glass windows were removed for safekeeping, protecting them from potential bombing damage.

On April 15, 2019, the world watched in horror as fire engulfed Notre-Dame, destroying the spire and most of the roof. The disaster sparked an unprecedented international response, with donations pouring in from around the globe to fund its restoration. The French government committed to an ambitious five-year restoration plan, though the complexity of the work has extended the timeline.

Inside, Notre-Dame housed priceless religious artifacts and artwork, including the Crown of Thorns, believed by many to be the crown worn by Jesus Christ during the Crucifixion. Thanks to the brave actions of firefighters and first responders during the 2019 fire, many of these treasures were saved.

The cathedral’s influence extends far beyond its religious significance. Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” brought international attention to the building when it had fallen into disrepair, leading to a major restoration project. The cathedral has inspired countless artists, writers, and musicians throughout the centuries, cementing its place in cultural history.

Before the fire, Notre-Dame welcomed approximately 13 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited monuments in Paris. The cathedral served not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of French culture and resilience. Its bell towers house ten bells, including the famous Emmanuel bell, which has marked significant moments in French history since the 15th century.

The ongoing restoration of Notre-Dame represents one of the most ambitious architectural preservation projects in history. Traditional craftsmanship methods are being employed alongside modern technology to ensure the cathedral’s rebirth remains faithful to its historic character while incorporating necessary safety improvements.

Notre-Dame Cathedral embodies the artistic, cultural, and spiritual heritage of France. Its survival through centuries of war, revolution, and natural disaster testifies to its enduring significance. As restoration work continues, the cathedral stands as a testament to human creativity, faith, and determination to preserve our shared cultural heritage for future generations.

Notre Dame Cathedral Entrance fee

Notre Dame Cathedral has historically been free to enter, though visitors had to pay €17 to access specific areas like the bell tower before the 2019 fire. Earlier in 2024, France’s culture minister Rachida Dati proposed introducing a €5 entrance fee for tourists, which could potentially generate up to €75m annually to help preserve France’s religious heritage and crumbling churches across the country.

However, this proposal sparked significant controversy. The Catholic church strongly opposed the introduction of any entrance fee, with the Notre Dame diocese insisting that the cathedral should remain free and open to all, regardless of their religion, beliefs, or financial means. They noted that implementing a system to distinguish between tourists and worshippers would be extremely complicated. Additionally, there were legal obstacles to charging an entrance fee due to France’s 1905 secularism law, which states that church visits “cannot be subject to any tax or duty.”

Following these debates, it has now been officially confirmed that access to the cathedral will remain free of charge when it reopens in December 2024. With approximately 40,000 daily visitors expected, spontaneous visits will be possible but may involve long waiting times, especially in the initial months after reopening. To manage these crowds, the cathedral will implement a free reservation system allowing visitors to secure specific time slots either the day before or on the day of their visit through a dedicated platform, set to launch in late November.

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