Discover the magnificent Gothic cathedral that has stood as Paris's spiritual heart for 850 years. Experience the architectural masterpiece that inspired countless souls through its soaring spires, radiant rose windows, and timeless stone.
One Journey
Walk through 850 years of history with a certified guide. Decode the Gothic facades, portals, and flying buttresses outside, then step inside the reborn cathedral to see restored vaults, stained glass, and sacred spaces — with groups capped at just 5 guests.
An expert storytelling walk around Notre-Dame's magnificent exterior — gargoyles, kings, flying buttresses, and the fire and rebirth — before you enter the restored interior at your own pace. The perfect combination of guided depth and personal freedom.
Notre-Dame de Paris stands as one of the world's finest examples of French Gothic architecture, a testament to medieval craftsmanship and spiritual devotion. For over 850 years, this magnificent cathedral has been the beating heart of Paris, witnessing coronations, revolutions, and the passage of history.
Built between 1163 and 1345, Notre-Dame showcases the pinnacle of Gothic innovation with its soaring flying buttresses, luminous rose windows, and intricate stone carvings. Every element tells a story of faith, artistry, and human achievement reaching toward the divine.
After five years of meticulous restoration, Notre-Dame reopened its doors on December 7, 2024, welcoming the world back inside its sacred walls. The cathedral stands reborn — its vaults luminous, its stained glass radiant, its stone renewed — a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris and the power of human resilience and faith.
Discover History
Marvel at the pinnacle of French Gothic design with revolutionary flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and pointed arches that changed architecture forever and inspired cathedrals worldwide.
Witness the breathtaking beauty of medieval stained glass masterpieces, including the magnificent South Rose Window depicting Christ surrounded by apostles and saints in luminous color.
Experience 850 years of Parisian history where Napoleon was crowned Emperor, Te Deums celebrated victories, and countless souls found solace in this sacred space through joy and turmoil.
Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after five years of extraordinary restoration. Step inside to experience the restored nave, luminous chapels, and renewed stonework — more breathtaking than ever before.
1163 - Foundation Stone: Bishop Maurice de Sully lays the foundation stone under Louis VII, beginning construction of what would become Paris's most iconic cathedral on the sacred Île de la Cité.
1200s - Gothic Innovation: Master builders create revolutionary flying buttresses and soaring vaults, establishing Notre-Dame as a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and engineering.
1345 - Completion: After 182 years of construction, Notre-Dame is completed with its iconic twin towers, rose windows, and intricate stonework representing the pinnacle of medieval craftsmanship.
1804 - Imperial Glory: Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor in Notre-Dame's sacred nave, cementing the cathedral's role in French national identity and European history.
2019-2024 - Phoenix Rising: Following the devastating fire, Notre-Dame undergoes five years of meticulous restoration combining medieval techniques with modern conservation. On December 7, 2024, the cathedral reopens to the world — reborn, resplendent, and more magnificent than ever.
Explore Gothic innovations
Notre-Dame's iconic 69-meter towers house legendary gargoyles, chimeras, and the great Emmanuel bell. The tower climb is not currently available to visitors, but the towers remain a defining feature of the cathedral and the focus of guided exterior tours.
Explore the Twin Towers
Marvel at the luminous beauty of Notre-Dame's three magnificent rose windows, particularly the South Rose Window measuring 13 meters in diameter and depicting Christ surrounded by apostles in radiant medieval glass.
Discover the Rose Windows
Just steps from Notre-Dame, discover Sainte-Chapelle's breathtaking walls of stained glass reaching 15 meters high, creating one of the most spectacular light shows in Gothic architecture.
Visit Sainte-Chapelle
Stroll through the historic heart of Paris on the sacred island where Notre-Dame stands. Explore charming gardens, ancient stones, and discover why this spot has been Paris's spiritual center for over 2,000 years.
Explore Sacred Île de la Cité
Make the most of your Notre-Dame experience with these essential planning tips:
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Nearest Metro: Cité (Line 4) - 2 minutes walk
Coordinates: 48°51'11"N 2°21'00"E
Notre-Dame stands majestically on the historic Île de la Cité, the sacred heart of Paris where the city was first founded over 2,000 years ago. This Gothic masterpiece has watched over the Seine for eight centuries, serving as both architectural marvel and spiritual sanctuary for countless pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
Yes — Notre-Dame reopened to visitors on December 7, 2024 following five years of restoration. Entry to the cathedral is free for all visitors. A general admission queue forms at the main public entrance, with typical wait times of 15–30 minutes from April to October. A guided tour is the best way to make sense of what you're seeing inside.
Entry to Notre-Dame Cathedral is free for all visitors — there is no skip-the-line ticket option as everyone uses the same public entrance. However, booking a guided tour ensures you understand the architecture, history, and stories that make Notre-Dame extraordinary, rather than walking through without context.
Tower access (the climb to the galerie des chimères to meet the famous gargoyles) is not currently available as part of the reopened cathedral. The main interior — nave, chapels, rose windows, and restored stonework — is fully open. Check the official Notre-Dame website for the latest updates on tower access.
The Parvis square and cathedral interior are wheelchair accessible. Tower access is not available to wheelchair users due to the staircase. Note that some guided tours may not be suitable for wheelchair users due to uneven medieval stone paths around the exterior. The surrounding Île de la Cité offers mostly accessible paths along the Seine.
Golden hour (late afternoon) provides the most dramatic lighting on the west facade. Early morning offers soft light and fewer crowds. Evening illumination creates magical photos from the Seine riverside or surrounding bridges.
Île de la Cité offers Sainte-Chapelle's stunning stained glass, the Conciergerie's medieval halls, and charming Seine walks. The Latin Quarter, Louvre, and Shakespeare and Company bookshop are all within walking distance.
Yes — and they're highly recommended. A certified guide brings the cathedral's architecture, history, and stories to life in ways that walking through alone simply cannot. Available options include a full interior and exterior guided tour (max 5 guests) or an exterior-only storytelling tour before you enter independently. Both depart from beside Notre-Dame and are bookable through One Journey.
