Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and all of France. Following its dramatic fire in April 2019, and the subsequent, lengthy restoration works, its grand reopening by December 2024 is eagerly awaited.
If you want to visit Notre Dame, do not miss out on this full tourist guide including everything you need to enjoy the cathedral after its reopening!
What to See in Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral abounds both in history and also in art and, by all means, in Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture, too. Let us now summarise what to see in Notre Dame, both indoors and outdoors, and which attractions in the temple are a must-see.
Architecture and cathedral indoors
The Gothic architecture in Notre Dame is undoubtedly the greatest allure of the cathedral, as well as its stunning rose windows and stained glass. The indoor design, originally from the 1100s with subsequent additions and reforms, is laid out in a cross-like shape with five naves and two ambulatories.
Precisely due to the fact that it was built during the 1100s, Notre Dame Cathedral was erected in a sober but elegant Early Gothic style with reminiscences from Norman Romanesque, which makes it unique among French temples, and a highly enticing visit.
Outdoors, you cannot miss out on its impressive main façade, built on several levels and containing a lovely sculptural gallery featuring kings, as well as chimaeras, two high towers, and three access gates.
The Gargoyles and the Bell Tower
If you wish to visit Notre Dame, there is no doubt that you will know about the novel by Victor Hugo recounting the misfortunes of Quasimodo, its bell-ringer, better known as the “Hunchback of Notre Dame”. Upon the reopening of the temple, it will be possible to climb up to the bell tower in order to admire its views of Paris, and emulate the ill-fated, romantic hero from the novel. Will you miss out on it?
Speaking of the bell tower of Notre Dame, the mysterious gargoyles and chimaeras dotting the heights of the cathedral must surely be mentioned, as an addition from its Neo-Gothic renovation that was undertaken during the mid-1800s by French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The Notre Dame gargoyles are the most searched sculptures by the tourists visiting the temple!
The Crown of Thorns and other Relics
The cathedral also keeps the so-called Relics of Notre Dame, namely the Crown of Thorns, a piece from the Calvary Cross, and one of the holy nails of Jesus. All of these are related to the Passion of the Christ and, should the visitor be interested in seeing them, it can be done in Easter and some marked days during Lent.
Useful Information to Visit the Cathedral
Let us now see which will be the opening hours at Notre Dame after its reopening, how to purchase your tickets to visit the cathedral, and how accessible it will be.
Opening Hours and Admission Fee
Notre Dame is expected to reopen its gates on December 8th, 2024. Both the details about the reopening ceremony as well as the visiting hours to the indoors of the cathedral will be specified during next November. The admission fee to visit Notre Dame remains unknown, too.
Somos París will inform you as soon as there is any news about it!
In the meantime, you can visit the outdoors of Notre Dame Cathedral with any of our free tours.
Accessibility and Visitor Services
Notre Dame is expected to feature adequate accessibility measures for visitors with reduced mobility, as well as those which were already in force before the 2019 fire, such as a wheelchair-adapted entrance.
For further details about it, as well as specific information about the rest of the services offered to visitors in Notre Dame, keep an eye out for our upcoming November update.
How to Avoid the Crowds
Visiting such a famous monument as Notre Dame, and especially one whose comeback is so well-awaited, will attract crowds with which perhaps you won’t wish to share your experience.
Besides booking your ticket in advance, our best advice is to choose to visit Notre Dame either early in the morning or late in the evening during off-peak season.
Activities and Special Events
All kinds of events, celebrations, and cultural activities are expected to be held in Notre Dame upon its reopening. We will tell you about some of them!
Religious Events
Being a Catholic temple, the visitor can expect plenty of religious events in Notre Dame besides regular church services.
To begin with, on the 7th and the 8th of December 2024, there will be one-off reopening ceremonies whose details will be published, alongside new services schedules, at some point during the month of November.
A few days before these events, free tickets will be available to be booked in order to attend them.
Cultural Activities and Concerts
Do not miss out on our November update to discover all of the cultural activities, exhibitions, and concerts which will take place in Notre Dame during winter 2024!
Visitor Tips
Visiting the cathedral is not the only thing you can do in this lively area of the Cité island in Paris. Here are some tips on what to do in the vicinity of Notre Dame, where to eat, and where to buy souvenirs in its surroundings.
What to do near Notre Dame
There are plenty of nooks, attractions, and monuments to see close to Notre Dame. In the very Cité island, you can drop by to visit Sainte-Chapelle in order to admire its awe-inspiring stained glass, to Vert Galant square to enjoy its gardens, or to the Conciergerie, a former royal palace and prison which can be visited.
Other places of interest next to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Cité island are the Latin Quarter, the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries, the Pantheon, or the elegant Luxembourg Gardens.
Where to Eat and Shop near Notre Dame
Should you be on the lookout for cafés and restaurants next to Notre Dame in order to have an even fuller experience and be able to relish Parisian cuisine, you can’t miss out on these venues:
- Le Peloton Café – 17 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe
- JOZI Café – 67 Quai de la Tournelle
- Combo Restaurant – 29 Rue Dauphine
- Le Restaurant Vingt – 20 Rue Saint-Séverin
- Les Deux Colombes – 4 Rue de la Colombe
If you wish to buy keepsakes or gifts, drop by Souvenirs Lagrange or Royal Souvenirs, both of which are in Rue Lagrange, facing Cité island!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Notre Dame
Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen its gates on the 8th of December, 2024.
The details about the tickets to visit Notre Dame are not known for the time being. There will be an update in November with further information.
Close to Notre Dame, monuments such as Saint-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, or the Louvre Museum can be visited, as well as the Luxembourg Gardens or the Latin Quarter.
