Notre-Dame de Paris
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
An 850-year-old Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité. After a 2019 fire and five years of restoration, it reopened in December 2024 with refreshed stonework, its stained glass and rose windows intact, and free admission.
Notre-Dame de Paris was begun in 1163 and largely completed by 1345. It is the pinnacle of French Gothic architecture and the setting of Victor Hugo's novel *The Hunchback of Notre-Dame*. A fire on April 15, 2019 destroyed the roof and spire. After five years of restoration involving nearly a thousand craftsmen, it reopened on December 8, 2024. The cleaned limestone interior now looks brighter than ever, and the rebuilt spire and oak 'forest' roof frame were recreated exactly as they were. Highlights include the three sculpted portals of the west façade and the Gallery of Kings; the north and south rose windows, each about 13 meters in diameter; the 69-meter bell tower (from 2025, climbing it requires a paid reservation); the freshly restored painted choir screen; the Virgin Mary and Crown of Thorns relic (displayed on Fridays); and the newly designed modern altar and chapel. Entry is free, but it is strongly recommended to reserve a free time slot in advance on the official website or the official app (Notre-Dame de Paris). Slots typically open two days ahead. Without a reservation, expect to queue for over an hour on site. A visit takes about an hour, following a one-way circular route. The archaeological crypt beneath the square in front of the cathedral displays Roman-era remains of Lutetia (separate admission). Cité station on Metro Line 4, or Saint-Michel station on RER B/C, is a 3-minute walk away. Within walking distance are Sainte-Chapelle (a 13th-century stained-glass masterpiece; admission about €13, reservation required), Shakespeare and Company bookshop, the Latin Quarter, and the flower market. The cathedral is an active place of worship, so dress modestly and keep quiet. Free visits are not possible during Mass. Watch for pickpockets in the crowded square.
Opening hours
7:45 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (until 10:00 p.m. Thursdays)
Nearby sights
- Shakespeare and Company
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Latin Quarter & Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Panthéon
- Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Le Marais & Place des Vosges
- Louvre Museum