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A visitor’s guide to planning your Notre-Dame experience
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Contents
Visitor information at a glance
What are the Cathedral’s opening hours?
The Cathedral is open Monday through Friday from 7:45am to 7pm and until 10pm on Thursdays.
How many entrances does the Notre-Dame Cathedral have?
There are multiple entrances to the Cathedral but 3 main entrances on the west facade.
How many visitors does the Notre-Dame Cathedral see per year?
Before the fire in 2019, Notre-Dame Cathedral attracted around 12 million visitors annually. Following its restoration and reopening in December 2024, it is expected to see between 14 and 15 million visitors per year.
Where is Notre-Dame located?
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France.
Find on maps
Notre-Dame Cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité, a small island in the middle of the Seine River. This iconic landmark is centrally situated and easily accessible from various parts of Paris.
Closest landmark: Sainte-Chapelle (650m)
For easy navigation, use Cité station on Metro Line 4, just a short walk away.
Pro tip: Combine your visit with nearby landmarks like Sainte-Chapelle and enjoy a scenic walk along the Seine.
Getting to Notre-Dame by public transportation
By metro
- Line 4: Get off at Cité station. This is the closest metro station, just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral.
- Line 1 or 11: Get off at Châtelet or Hôtel de Ville stations and walk across the Seine.
By RER (Regional Train)
- RER Line B or C: Get off at Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame station, which is very close to the Cathedral.
By bus
- Bus lines 47 (160m, 2-minute walk), 75 (400m, 6-minute walk), or 87 (500m, 7-minute walk) have stops near the Cathedral.
By Vélib’
Getting to Notre-Dame by car
- Lutèce – Cité Parking, Boulevard du Palais: 300m, about a 4-minute walk from Notre-Dame Cathedral and the cost is around €3.40 per hour.
- Lobau – Rivoli Parking, Rue Lobau: 500m, approximately a 6-minute walk from the cathedral. The hourly rate is approximately €4.60.
- Place Saint-Michel Parking, Rue Francisque Gay: 600m, around a 7-minute walk from Notre-Dame. The cost is about €4.59 per hour.
- Lagrange Parking, Rue Lagrange: 400m, about a 5-minute walk from the cathedral. The hourly rate is around €4.70.
Know before you visit Notre-Dame
Reservations
Entrances
Facilities
Rules
Tips
Nearby
Dine
- The Notre-Dame Cathedral is open and free for all.
- However, you can schedule free online access a few hours or days before your visit to cut down on the amount of time you have to wait at the entry. This feature is completely optional and is just intended to expedite entries and reduce needless waiting.
- By making a reservation, avoid standing in line, particularly during busy times and gain quick and easy access to the Cathedral.
- As soon as your reservation is made, you will receive an email with your digital ticket for an instant confirmation.
- Making a reservation guarantees you entry to the cathedral within your allotted period, cutting down on waiting time.
- You can still enter without a reservation, but you might have to wait longer, particularly during peak times.
There are broadly 3 main entrances to the Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Main Entrance (West Portal): The primary entrance, featuring the iconic three Gothic doors adorned with intricate carvings, leads into the Cathedral’s nave.
- Side Entrance (North and South): These smaller, less crowded entrances provide access to the sides of the Cathedral and are often used during mass or special services.
- Back Entrance (Via the Garden): This entrance is accessible from Square Jean XXIII behind the Cathedral. Visitors who want a quiet path to the cathedral’s rear typically use it.
- Welcome desks: Desks are present at the Cathedral entrance where the hosts and volunteers answer your questions and guide you for an enriching visit. There is also a welcome desk at the treasure entrance where you can get direct information specific to the treasure spaces.
- Sales desk: These desks are located at the south exit of the Cathedral and offer exclusive products offered by Notre-Dame and gift ideas for special occasions.
- Refrain from using your phone inside the Cathedral.
- Refrain from bringing scooters, suitcases, backpacks, or bulky item.
- Any kind of weapon, knife, scissors, or other potentially dangerous object is prohibited inside.
- Products that are prohibited also include alcohol, aerosols, and narcotics.
- Smoking, eating, drinking, and bringing animals (except for medical assistance animals) are prohibited.
- Please wear modest clothing suitable for a place of worship. Men are asked to remove their hats.
- The Cathedral serves mostly as a space for introspection. Please respect the devotional mood and refrain from having loud conversations.
- All visitors will undergo security checks upon entry.
- Please limit your personal belongings to facilitate these checks.
- Luggage and large bags are prohibited.
- Experience the spiritual atmosphere of Notre-Dame by attending a religious service or a classical music concert, which may resume post-restoration.
- Pack a small picnic and enjoy it in Square Jean XXIII, behind the Cathedral, while taking in the views of the Seine and Notre-Dame.
- Take a walk along the Seine and snap a picture of Notre-Dame reflecting on the river’s surface—especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.The best spot is the left bank, particularly near the Pont de l'Archevêché or Pont Saint-Louis.
- Plan your visit around holidays like Christmas or Easter. During Christmas, the Cathedral is beautifully decorated with festive lights, a grand Christmas tree, and a stunning nativity scene, creating a magical atmosphere. The Easter Sunday Mass is one of the most important services, drawing pilgrims and visitors to celebrate the resurrection of Christ in a deeply spiritual setting.
- Sainte-Chapelle (750m, 7-minute walk): A stunning Gothic chapel known for its breathtaking stained-glass windows, depicting biblical scenes in vibrant colors.
- Conciergerie (450m, 7-minute walk): Once a medieval palace and later a prison, it held Marie Antoinette before her execution.-
- Pont Neuf (800m, 12-minute walk): The oldest standing bridge in Paris, offering beautiful views of the Seine and Île de la Cité.
- Shakespeare and Company (300m, 2-minute walk): A historic English-language bookstore, a favorite haunt of literary greats like Hemingway and Joyce.
- Le Petit Châtelet: A 2-minute walk from Notre Dame, this charming spot is known for its rustic ambiance and authentic French dishes like duck confit and escargot.
- Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole: Famous for its romantic, flower-covered exterior and traditional Parisian cuisine, visit this restaurant situated just 2 minutes away from Notre-Dame.
- La Brasserie Île Saint-Louis: Located on Île Saint-Louis and an 8-minute walk from the Cathedral, this restaurant offers iconic dishes like steak-frites and crème brûlée.
Accessibility at Notre-Dame
Visiting with developmental and learning disabilities
Visitors with hearing impairments
Visitors with physical disabilities
Visitors with visual impairments
- Access: Individuals with disabilities can enter through the main central entrance (Portal of the Last Judgment). There is an option for fast-track entry to bypass long wait times.
- Informed personnel: Personnel are trained to understand particular needs and provide helpful, respectful support.
- Readable signs: Clear pictograms and straightforward directions help visitors navigate the cathedral with ease.
- A companion is permitted to join during the visit to both the cathedral and the treasury.
- Easy-to-understand booklet (FALC): Notre-Dame provides a booklet written in easy-to-read French (FALC), ensuring an inclusive visitor experience. It covers the spiritual, historical, and architectural aspects of the Cathedral. An English version will soon be accessible on the website.
- Mobile application: A complimentary mobile app, compatible with both Android and iPhone, offers guided tours in French, English, or Spanish.
- Tactile booklets and three-dimensional models: Tactile booklets depict the cathedral’s layout, façade, rose window, choir screen, and the reliquary of the Crown of Thorns. In addition, three 3D models enrich the visit (the cathedral, the baptistery, and the statue of Our Lady of Paris). These materials can be requested at the reception desk.
- Access: The primary entry point via the central portal (Portal of the Last Judgment) is accessible for wheelchairs. A priority access option is provided to skip the queue.
- Hearing loops have been installed at the reception areas, in sales sections, and in designated parts of the nave to assist in following services or conferences, which are indicated by appropriate signage.
- There is clear visual signage available in French, English, and Spanish located throughout the Cathedral.
- A companion is permitted to join during the visit to both the Cathedral and the treasury.
- Audioguides: These can be rented at the reception for €5, allowing visitors to explore the Cathedral independently in French, English, or Spanish. Hearing loops are accessible for those with hearing impairments when renting an audioguide.
- Mobile app: A complimentary new mobile app, available for Android and iPhone, provides guided tours in French, English, or Spanish. Special attention has been given to improving accessibility, offering three different tour options and textual transcriptions of the audio tours.
- Accessible entrance: The primary entrance through the central portal (Portal of the Last Judgment) is designed for wheelchair access. An expedited entry option minimizes wait times.
- Elevator platform: Situated near the worship area in the northern transept, this platform facilitates access to the ambulatory and the chapels surrounding the choir.
- Access ramps: Various chapels, such as those dedicated to Saint Joseph and Isaiah, feature fixed or portable ramps that can be requested through call buttons.
- An accompanying person is permitted to join during the visit to the Cathedral and the treasury.
- To enhance the experience for visitors with mobility challenges, seating at the front of the first row is reserved for them during Mass, lectures, or concerts.
- Accessible signage: During the visit, informative signs and panels in French, English, and Spanish enhance visitors' understanding of the building and the artwork on display. They are placed at a height that is reachable for both wheelchair users and children.
- Mobile application: A complimentary mobile app, available for both Android and iPhone devices, provides all visitors with guided tours in French, English, or Spanish. Particular care has been taken to ensure accessibility, with various tour options offered.
- Entry: The primary entrance via the central portal (Portal of the Last Judgment) is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. A priority access option is available to bypass waiting in line.
- Assistance from staff: Trained personnel can be requested to help visitors navigate the space and overcome obstacles.
- Service animals: Guide dogs are allowed throughout the Cathedral.
- Illumination: The steps in the chapel feature specialized lighting to emphasize the edges, aiding accessibility.
- An accompanying individual is permitted during the visit to both the Cathedral and the treasury.
- Tactile booklets and 3D models: Tactile and braille booklets (available in French) provide details about the Cathedral's layout, façade, rose window, choir screen, and reliquary containing the Crown of Thorns. Additionally, three 3D models (representing the building, the baptistery, and the statue of Our Lady of Paris) enhance the visit. These materials can be requested at the reception desk.
- Mobile app: A complimentary mobile app, compatible with both Android and iPhone, enriches the experience for all visitors in French, English, or Spanish. It features an audio description tour accessible directly from the home screen, with other tours offered in large print. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own headphones to fully appreciate the content of the app.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Notre-Dame
How long should I plan to spend at Notre-Dame?
A visit to the cathedral typically takes 1-2 hours, including time to explore the exterior, towers, and nearby attractions.
Are there guided tours of Notre-Dame?
Guided tours are available outside the Notre-Dame Cathedral where you can gain context about the past, present, and future of this iconic landmark befor enerting the Cathedral and exploring it at your own pace.
Are there restrooms or storage facilities here?
Yes, restrooms and storage facilities are available near Notre-Dame, but not inside the cathedral itself.
Can I visit it during restoration work?
Yes, certain areas may remain open to the public during restoration, depending on safety measures.
Are there family-friendly activities near Notre-Dame?
Yes, nearby activities include exploring Square Jean XXIII, the Archaeological Crypt, and kid-friendly Seine boat rides.
How can I explore the Cathedral in a short amount of time?
Focus on highlights like the façade, interior nave, and rose windows, and use guided tours for quick insights.
Are there any special events at Notre-Dame?
Post-restoration, Notre-Dame is expected to host events like Christmas masses, Easter celebrations, and concerts, as it did before.