Notre-Dame in Paris: Is it worth a visit?

March 20, 2025 Citie to Travel Comments Off

Notre-Dame is one of the most beautiful and impressive churches in Paris. This world-famous cathedral was severely affected by a devastating fire in 2019, in which the roof and spire collapsed. Meanwhile, after five years of restoration, Notre-Dame is more beautiful than ever. During your visit you will admire not only the beautiful architecture, but also the treasury with special relics, such as the crown of thorns and a fragment of the cross of Christ. In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know before your visit to Notre-Dame.

History of the Notre-Dame in Paris?

Notre-Dame is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and an icon of Paris. Construction of this impressive Gothic church began in 1163 under the direction of Bishop Maurice de Sully. It took almost two centuries for Notre-Dame to be fully completed, around the year 1345.

Built on the Île de la Cité, in the middle of the Seine River, the cathedral was intended to symbolize the power of the church and Paris as an important religious center. During the French Revolution the church was badly damaged, but in the 19th century Notre-Dame was grandly restored by the famous architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

Today, Notre-Dame is not only a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, but also a place full of history and significance.

What makes Notre Dame so special?

Notre-Dame is special because of its rich history, impressive Gothic architecture and religious significance. Since the 12th century, this cathedral has defined the image of Paris. What makes Notre-Dame truly unique are its famous stained-glass windows, ornate gargoyles and treasury with relics such as Christ’s crown of thorns. After the major fire in 2019, hard work is underway to restore it, ensuring Notre-Dame retains its iconic appeal.

The impressive dimensions of Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame is famous not only for its architecture and history, but also for its impressive size. The cathedral is a whopping 130 meters long and 69 meters wide, with a vault height of 35 meters. Inside, there is room for as many as 9,000 people.

The highest tower of Notre-Dame reaches 90 meters and the two famous towers in front are each 69 meters high. Those who dare to climb the more than 400 steps to the top will be rewarded with stunning views of Paris.

The historic bells of Notre-Dame

Each of Notre-Dame’s bells has its own name and story. The most famous and oldest bell is Emmanuel, which hangs in the south tower. The remaining bells are in the north tower and were completely renovated in 2013 to restore the original sounds of the past.

These are the names of the bells:

1. Emmanuel – The largest and oldest clock (south tower), weighs over 13 tons.
2. Gabriel – Named after the archangel Gabriel.
3. Anne-Geneviève – Refers to Saint Anne and the patron saint of Paris, Sainte Geneviève.
4. Denis – Refers to Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris.
5. Marcel – Named for Saint Marcel, another patron saint of Paris.
6. Étienne – Refers to Saint Étienne (St. Stephen), the first martyr of Christianity.
7. Benoît-Joseph – An ode to Pope Benedict XVI (Benoît) and St. Joseph.
8. Maurice – Named after Saint Maurice, a Roman martyr.
9. Jean-Marie – In honor of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, former archbishop of Paris.

These bells together form the magnificent chimes of Notre-Dame and ring at special moments and religious celebrations.

How many times has Notre-Dame been destroyed?

Notre-Dame has been damaged several times in its long history, but never completely destroyed. The most famous and greatest damage occurred during these events:

1. The French Revolution (1789-1799):

Many religious statues and treasures were destroyed or looted. The cathedral was badly damaged and was even temporarily used as a warehouse.

2. The big fire in 2019:

During renovation work, a huge fire broke out. The roof, the wooden roof (“the forest”) and the famous spire collapsed. Fortunately, most of the structure, facade and stained glass windows were spared.

Despite these severe setbacks, Notre-Dame has always recovered and remains one of the most iconic buildings in Paris.

What is there to see at Notre-Dame?

Notre-Dame is an impressive cathedral full of history, art and religious treasures. These are the highlights you should definitely not miss during your visit:

1. The stained glass windows – The three large rose windows in particular are magnificent and tell Biblical stories in color.
2. The treasury – Here you admire unique relics, such as Christ’s crown of thorns and a piece of the cross.
3. The imposing vaults – The high Gothic arches and magnificent ceiling make the cathedral impressive.
4. The Towers – Climb over 400 steps and enjoy a magnificent view of Paris as well as the famous gargoyles.
5. The Great Organ – One of the largest organs in France with thousands of pipes, a masterpiece in itself.
6. The archaeological crypt – Underneath the square in front of Notre-Dame you will discover remains of ancient Paris and Roman foundations, a fascinating piece of history.

Notre-Dame offers an impressive mix of architecture, art and history that should not be missed during your visit to Paris.

Is Notre-Dame free to visit?

Yes, a visit to Notre-Dame is free. You can visit the cathedral freely and enjoy its impressive architecture and beautiful interior.

Note: Do you want to climb the towers or visit the archaeological crypt? Then you do need a ticket and pay an entrance fee for these parts.

How long does a visit to Notre Dame take?

A visit to Notre-Dame in Paris takes an average of 1 to 1.5 hours if you want to see the inside of the cathedral and admire its impressive stained-glass windows and altar.

Would you also like to climb the towers for a great view of Paris? Then count on extra time of about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the waiting time.

In addition, if you visit the archaeological crypt, you will spend another 30 to 45 minutes.

In short, if you want to see everything at your leisure, allow about 2 to 3 hours for your visit to Notre-Dame.

Opening hours of the Notre Dame

Would you like to visit Notre-Dame? Then keep in mind the opening hours. The cathedral is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:45 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, Notre-Dame stays open a little longer until 7:15 pm.

Where is the Notre-Dame in Paris?

Notre-Dame is located right in the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité, an island in the Seine River. It is one of the city’s most famous and central sites, within walking distance of many other attractions.

Address:
6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France

How to get to Notre-Dame by public transportation?

Notre-Dame is centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation in Paris. Below is a list of the easiest options:

1. Metro line 4 – Get off at Cité stop, directly on the Île de la Cité.

2. Metro line 1 or 11 – Get off at Hôtel de Ville, from there it is a 5-10 minute walk.

3. RER line B or C – Get off at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station, a short walk from the cathedral.

4. Bus lines 21, 38, 47, 85 – These buses stop near Notre-Dame.

5. Batobus (riverboat on the Seine) – Get off at Notre-Dame stop for a fun route on the water.

Our experience: is Notre-Dame worth a visit?

After our visit, we can definitely say that Notre-Dame is absolutely worth seeing. The cathedral is impressive, both from the outside and inside. Especially the beautiful stained glass windows and the huge organ made a big impression. Also the rich history and the treasury with special relics are really worth seeing.

One downside we found was the long queues, especially at the towers. If you want to climb them, it is helpful to go early in the day or book tickets in advance.

All in all, a visit to Notre-Dame is highly recommended during your city break in Paris!

Our 3 tips for your visit to Notre-Dame

After our visit to Notre-Dame in Paris, we like to share a few handy tips. That way you’ll get the most out of your visit to this impressive cathedral.

3 tips for your visit:

1. Arrive early in the morning – This way you avoid the biggest crowds and can climb the towers without long queues.

2. Also visit the archaeological crypt – Discover Roman and medieval remains under the square in front of Notre-Dame.

3. Take time to look at the details – From the statues on the facade to the beautiful stained-glass windows inside, there is craftsmanship hidden in everything.

Special offers for a city break to Paris

Are you going on a city break to Paris and would like to visit a number of sights and attractions? Then take advantage of the offers below and save on your tickets!