Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

Visit the beloved Paris Cathedral and Tickets Notre Dame Cathedral

Information and tips about visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the beloved church in Paris. Practical information about the well-known Paris cathedral can be found at parisbypierre.com.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has to be one of the most recognized churches in the world, especially after the massive fire in 2019 that caused the roof to collapse. After five years of substantial repair work, the interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral is more beautiful than ever. The treasury of Notre Dame houses three precious relics of Christ: the crown of thorns, a fragment of the cross, and one of His crucifixion nails.

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

The Notre Dame Cathedral is enormous. The impressive church is 130 meters in length, 69 meters in width, and 35 meters in height. The cathedral can accommodate 9,000 people. The tallest tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral has a height of 90 meters. The cathedral’s two front towers are both 69 meters high and include almost 400 stairs. The use of a photo or video camera is permitted in the cathedral.

Visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral and Tickets

The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most visited churches in the world. The impressive cathedral is free to enter. Starting from December 2024, a ticket reservation system has been implemented. You can request a free ticket through the reservation system.

If you're more interested in the outside of Notre Dame Cathedral, a guided tour is a fantastic option. This tour will teach you about fresh findings uncovered during the restoration process and provide insight into the inquiry that followed the fire. This tour will NOT take you inside the Notre Dame Cathedral. Book your tickets

^{Façade of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France}

^{Interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris}

History of the Notre Dame Cathedral

In 1163, construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral began. The structure was commissioned by Bishop Maurice de Sully. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone for the new cathedral in 1163. The cathedral was completed in 1345. Historically, the Notre Dame Cathedral has been the central point of Paris. The cathedral is located on the island of Île de la Cité, which is located in the middle of Paris. All distances from Paris are determined by this point.

In 2019, the beloved cathedral made headlines after a massive fire. On April 15, 2019, a fire occurred near the roof of Notre Dame. The roof caught fire, and the attic tower collapsed. It took till the next morning to get the fire under control. The fire destroyed part of Notre-Dame's interior. The renovation took five years and involved more than 2,000 individuals. The repair work was completed in 2024, and the Notre Dame Cathedral has been open to the public since December 2024.

Sightseeing at the Notre Dame Cathedral

The facade of the Notre Dame Cathedral is divided into four sections. On the lower section, images relating to the story of Christ may be found. The second section is titled The King’s Gallery and portrays the rulers of Judea and Israel. The large rose window of the cathedral may be seen in the third section. The upper level of the cathedral includes the gallery and the two front towers.

As you enter the cathedral, you’ll see large pillars, the main altar, and the choir. The choir of the cathedral dates from the 17th century. The enormous organ is the centerpiece of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Aristide Cavaillé-Coll created the magnificent organ, which has over 7,000 pipes. Only a few organists in the world are permitted to play this organ. During most masses, the smaller organ is used.

There are several bells in the tower on the north side of the cathedral. Each bell has its own name and weight. Denise-David is the lightest bell, with a weight of 750 kilos. Agélique-Francoise is the heaviest bell, weighing over 1900 kilos. The oldest bell of the cathedral hangs in the south tower and is named the Emmanuel.

Video: Notre Dame in Paris, France

How do I get to the Notre Dame Cathedral?

The Paris metro is a convenient and easy way to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral can be reached via Line 4 at the Cité stop or at the Saint-Michel stop.

Close to the Notre Dame Cathedral is a stop for the Paris Hop-on Hop-off bus. Click here for additional information

Close to the Notre Dame Cathedral is a boarding point for the Paris Hop-on Hop-off water bus. Click here for additional information