The Notre-Dame Cathedral is the most famous church in Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture located on the Île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine River, in the heart of the city. Construction began in 1163 and took nearly two centuries. After the 2019 fire, the cathedral was rebuilt and reopened to the public in December 2024. Admission is free, and this guide covers what to see, how to visit, and how to get there.
Notre-Dame (French for “Our Lady”) is a landmark of French Gothic architecture, with its two 69-meter towers, flying buttresses, gargoyles, and three great stained-glass rose windows. It was immortalized by Victor Hugo in the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and welcomed millions of visitors a year before the fire.
On April 15, 2019, a fire destroyed the iconic spire (the central needle) and a large part of the roof, moving the world. What followed was one of the largest restoration projects in recent history, which rebuilt the spire exactly as it was and restored the interior.
After more than five years closed, the cathedral reopened in December 2024, with its interior cleaned and restored — the light-colored stone, the stained glass, and the new spire are impressive. To understand in detail what was rebuilt and how the timed-reservation system works, see our dedicated guide to the reopening of Notre-Dame and what has changed.
Set aside time to appreciate the west façade, with the Portal of the Last Judgment and the Gallery of Kings, and the rose windows, especially the south rose window, with its colorful stained glass filtering the light. Inside, the soaring nave, the monumental organ, and the choir stand out. Outside, look for the famous gargoyles and chimeras that watch over the city from above.
The towers (with a climb that rewards you with one of the best views of Paris) and the archaeological crypt on the square in front are separate visits. The square in front of the cathedral, by the way, marks Point Zéro, the point from which all road distances in France are measured.
Admission to the cathedral is free. Because of the extremely high demand since the reopening, it is highly recommended to make a free timed reservation through the official Notre-Dame website or app to avoid long lines — visitors without a reservation can also get in, but usually wait longer. The towers and the crypt require a paid ticket, purchased separately. Since hours and reservation rules may change, always check the official website before you go.
The cathedral is on the Île de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement. The nearest metro stations are Cité (line 4) and Saint-Michel (line 4 and RER B/C); the Hôtel de Ville station (lines 1 and 11) is also a few minutes’ walk away. Several bus lines and the boat tour along the Seine pass right in front.
The location is one of the best in Paris for exploring on foot. On the same Île de la Cité is the Sainte-Chapelle, with its stunning stained glass. Crossing the Seine, you reach the Latin Quarter, with medieval streets, the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and student cafés. It is also worth combining your visit with a cruise on the Seine River, which offers the best views of the cathedral.
It is on the Île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine River, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, between the Latin Quarter and the Île Saint-Louis.
No. Admission to the cathedral is free. What you pay for are visits to the towers and the archaeological crypt, purchased separately.
It’s not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Since the reopening in December 2024, demand has been enormous; the free timed reservation through the official website or app helps you avoid long lines.
Yes. The cathedral reopened to the public in December 2024, after the reconstruction that restored the roof, the spire, and the interior damaged in the 2019 fire.
The nearest stations are Cité (line 4) and Saint-Michel (line 4 and RER B/C). Hôtel de Ville (lines 1 and 11) is also nearby, a few minutes’ walk away.
After visiting the cathedral, take the time to cross the Seine and explore the neighboring Latin Quarter, with its medieval streets, historic bookstores like Shakespeare and Company, and a lively nightlife scene of bars and jazz clubs.