Notre-Dame de Paris is the great Gothic cathedral at the literal heart of the city, on the Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine. Begun in the 12th century, it's one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture — famous for its twin towers, flying buttresses, gargoyles, and magnificent rose windows. After the devastating fire of April 2019, the cathedral underwent a remarkable restoration and reopened to the public in December 2024. Entry to the cathedral is free; climbing the towers is separately ticketed and reserved in advance.
Notre-Dame de Paris, begun in 1163 and built over roughly two centuries, is one of the world's most celebrated cathedrals and a defining monument of French Gothic architecture. Standing on the Île de la Cité — the island in the Seine considered the historic center of Paris, from which all distances in France are measured — it has been the spiritual and symbolic heart of the city for over 800 years, immortalized in Victor Hugo's novel and countless works since.
In April 2019, a catastrophic fire destroyed the cathedral's spire and roof and shocked the world. In the years that followed, an extraordinary international restoration effort rebuilt and cleaned the cathedral, and Notre-Dame reopened to the public in December 2024, its restored interior brighter and more luminous than it had been in generations. Visitors can once again enter the soaring nave, admire the three great rose windows, and experience the awe of the Gothic interior.
Entry to the cathedral is free, as it is a working place of worship, though given its popularity since reopening, expect queues and possibly a timed-reservation system for entry (check current arrangements before you go). The famous towers climb — up among the gargoyles and chimeras for close views of the architecture and the city — is a separate paid ticket, reserved in advance, when available.
The surrounding Île de la Cité, with Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie nearby, and the Seine's banks and bridges, make the whole area essential. This page points to the venue's site for current visiting and reservation details.
What to expect
The experience
Free entry to the cathedral (a working place of worship); expect queues and possibly timed reservations since the December 2024 reopening. The towers climb is a separate paid, advance-reserved ticket. On the Île de la Cité.
Best time
Early morning or later in the day for shorter lines. Check current entry and reservation arrangements before you go.
How long
About an hour inside; more with the towers climb.
Tips
Cathedral entry is free, but since the 2024 reopening it's very popular — check whether a timed reservation is required and arrive early or late to avoid the longest queues. The towers climb (among the gargoyles) is a separate paid ticket, booked in advance when available. Combine with Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie nearby on the Île de la Cité.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Everyone visiting Paris — it's the historic and symbolic heart of the city, reopened and restored.
- Families
- Awe-inspiring for all ages; the free entry and central location make it easy, though queues can test young patience.
- Couples
- A moving, beautiful visit at the heart of Paris, especially paired with a riverside stroll on the Île de la Cité.
- Pair with
- Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie (steps away), a Seine cruise, and the Latin Quarter just across the river.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours.
Good questions
Is Notre-Dame open again after the fire?+
Yes — after the devastating April 2019 fire and a major restoration, Notre-Dame reopened to the public in December 2024, with its interior restored and brighter than in generations.
Is it free to visit?+
Yes — entry to the cathedral is free, as it's a working place of worship. Since the reopening it's extremely popular, so check whether a timed reservation is needed and expect possible queues. The towers climb is separately ticketed.
Can I climb the towers?+
The famous towers climb — up among the gargoyles and chimeras — is a separate paid ticket, reserved in advance when available. Check the venue's site for current availability and booking.
Where is Notre-Dame?+
On the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the Seine considered the historic heart of Paris, steps from Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.
How long should I plan?+
About an hour inside the cathedral, plus queue time; more if you do the towers climb. Combine it with the nearby Île de la Cité sights.
