Notre Dame Cathedral
The Basics
Notre Dame's immense interior—with its fluted columns, ribbed vaults, and prismatic windows—is a fantastic example of French Gothic architecture. Guided tours that include skip-the-line entry are the best way to visit the cathedral; not only will you avoid long lines, but your guide's expertise will ensure you notice even subtle details.
The cathedral can also be visited as part of a full-day Paris sightseeing tour—itineraries typically cover places such as the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre, or include a Seine River cruise, and provide insight into the history and culture of France.
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Things to Know Before You Go
Both private tours and group tours are available.
The cathedral always draws crowds—book a skip-the-line ticket to save time.
A Paris museum pass (with either 2-, 4-, or 6-day validity) covers skip-the-line entry to 50 top Paris attractions, including the Notre Dame and Musee d'Orsay.
Climb the 387 steps of the north tower, braving gargoyles along the way, for panoramic views of Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral is not fully wheelchair accessible, as there is a small step to enter and a few steps inside.
How to Get There
Notre Dame's central location makes it incredibly easy to reach by public transport: take the RER B or RER C line to St-Michel Notre Dame, or disembark at Cite on Line 4 of the Metro. To arrive on foot, follow the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower for a one-hour walk brimming with Parisian highlights and hidden gems.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
In the evening, the square before the cathedral comes to life in a riot of music and performance. Watch street performers juggle fire, grab a bite from a vendor, or simply admire Notre Dame illuminated by night. If visiting Paris in winter, head to Notre Dame right before closing to watch the sunset and see the City of Light twinkle.
Gothic Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral may be one of the most famous examples of French Gothic architecture in the capital, but it's far from the only one. Explore more Parisian Gothic at the Cluny Museum, home to half a dozen impressive wall hangings; head to Saint Chapelle to admire some of the most beautiful medieval stained glass; or stop by Sainte Severin in the fifth arrondissement.
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- Notre-Dame Cathedral Towers (Tours de la Cathédrale Notre-Dame)
- Archaeological Crypt of Notre Dame
- Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
- Caveau de la Huchette
- Palais de Justice
- Sainte Chapelle
- Hotel de Ville
- Conciergerie
- Fontaine Saint-Michel
- Cluny Museum (Musée de Cluny)
- Île de la Cité
- Mémorial de la Shoah (Shoah Memorial)
- Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin)
- Berthillon
- Ile Saint-Louis