Notre Dame Cathedral Private Tours. Also Semi-Private Tours
Notre Dame Cathedral Private Tour in the early morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds at the world's most famous Gothic cathedral. Genuine Private tours, to enjoy a 2 or 3-hour Gothic experience in Paris with Yves, a postgraduate Licensed tour guide. We also organize semi-private tours in small groups of no more than five people.
Table of Content
- 1. Why do we only offer early morning or evening tours of Notre-Dame?
- 2. Our Notre-Dame Cathedral Tours in a Nutshell
- 3. Organization, Schedule, and Content of the 2-hour Notre-Dame Tour
- 4. Organization, Schedule, and Content of the 3-hour Notre-Dame Tour
- 5. Discover Notre-Dame's 860 Years of History & Gothic Innovation
- 6. The Crown of Thorns and the Relics of the Passion: The Symbol of the Notre-Dame Resurrection
- 7. The Grand Organ: the other Symbol of Notre-Dame's Resurrection
- 8. Understand Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral and Know Its Secrets
- 9. Learn about The Artistic Program of the Cathedral
- 10. More about Notre-Dame Cathedral
- 11. After Your Cathedral Tour: Continue Your Paris Discovery
- 12. Other Paris Private Tours You May Love
- 13. Four Other Famous Cathedrals Around Paris - Orleans Cathedrale Tour
- 14. FAQs Notre-Dame Cathedral
- 15. Booking Section
Why do we only propose early-morning or evening tours of Notre Dame de Paris?
Because we want to offer our guests a really nice experience.
Early Morning Tours
An early-morning tour means fewer people lining up to enter the cathedral and fewer people inside. Later in the day, the crowd will most often make the experience disappointing or even unpleasant; we do not want that for our guests.
What are the inconveniences of early morning tours at Notre Dame?
The main downside of an early-morning tour is that you cannot admire the south rose windows in the afternoon sun—but in compensation, the early-morning choir stained glass to the east is well worth it.
Notre-Dame Cathedral at sunrise.
Evening Tours
An evening tour is another way to maximize your chances of avoiding the crowd and then make the most of your Notre-Dame de Paris Experience. Very often in the evening, there are even fewer people than in the early morning.
What are the inconveniences of an evening tour at Notre-Dame de Paris?
The first is that evening tours are only available on Thursdays, which is the only day Notre-Dame has a late opening (till 10 p.m.).
The second - which is a big one - is that during a large part of the year (fall, winter, and beginning of spring), the evening tours are night tours and consequently you are not able to admire the roses and stained-glass windows of the cathedral.
Notre Dame cathedral and Seine river at twilight.
📌 Important Notice
Entry to Notre Dame Cathedral is always free, as it is first and foremost a place of worship; please wear proper attire and behave accordingly during the tour.
As with all tour companies, guests join the regular entry line alongside their guide. Here, you pay for guiding service, not for any fictional entrance privilege.
Never buy entrance tickets to Notre Dame; it is forbidden to sell or offer them, and only the Notre Dame website can give them for free.
Do not trust companies that say their tour leader will do tour comments during the queue; this is forbidden. Comments must be made outside the queues.
Please carefully check what is authorized and what is not in the cathedral. Do not bring luggage, as you will not be able to pass the security line.
💡 Our Complete Notre Dame Visiting Guide is there to help!
🎯 Our Notre-Dame Cathedral Tours in a Nutshell
We offer three different tours: a 2-hour private tour, an extended 3-hour private tour, and a 2-hour semi-private tour.
Notre Dame cathedral crowded foreground at midday.
🚫 Tour Restrictions in Notre Dame
- Tours are not permitted on Fridays after 2 pm, Saturdays afternoons, and Sundays
- Tours are not allowed during religious services (masses)
Mass schedule during tour days: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM; Saturday morning, 8:00 AM. - Other restrictions, often full days, also apply on solemnities/feast days, and during numerous specific celebrations or pilgrimages. See https://dioceseparis.fr/ and https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/
- Comments must be made outside the queues.
- The Cathedral's rules also limit the indoor part of the tour to a maximum of one hour.
LIKE ALL THE OTHER TOUR COMPANY WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ACCESS INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL.
The cathedral remains first of all a place of worship, and the diocese may at any time add new restrictions or schedule adjustments; security concerns may also arise.
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If the Cathedral interior is not accessible on the day/time of your tour, an outdoor substitution tour will be immediately done instead, rain or shine
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Furthermore, for private tours, a 100 € partial refund will be offered later on by internet (as we know we are the only company offering that)
- For semi-private tours, no refund will be offered.
Common Characteristics of our Notre Dame Tours
- Language: English (also possible in Spanish or French)
- Guide: Postgraduate (MPhil) certified French national guide
- Scope: Interior + exterior of the cathedral
- Scope restriction: The treasury and the Cathedral towers are not part of the tour
- Entry: via the standard waiting line, usually fluid in the early morning
- Tickets: No tickets needed to enter Notre Dame via the standard waiting line
Notre Dame Private 2-hour €299 up to 5 pp.
- Duration : +/- 2 hours
- €299 is the unique price for up to 5 persons
- Genuine private tour (your party only)
- Distance covered: Till +/- 1 mi (1.6 km)
- Schedule: early morning to avoid the crowd as much as possible
- Evening tour possible on Thursdays
BOOK NOW
Notre Dame Private 3-hour €399 up to 5 pp.
- Duration : +/- 3 hours
- €399 is the unique price for up to 5 persons
- Genuine private tour (your party only)
- Distance covered: Till +/- 2 mi (3.2 km)
- Extended scope: possible to the Marais, or the Latin Quarter or Saint-Germain-des-Près
- Schedule: early morning to avoid the crowd as much as possible
BOOK NOW
Notre Dame Semi-private €79 per person
- Duration : +/- 2 hours
- Semi-private: we gather people to form a group
- Group Size: up to 5 persons (Semi-private tour)
- Distance covered: Till +/- 1 mi (1.6 km)
- Schedule: early morning to avoid the crowd as much as possible
- Availability: on specific dates only; meanwhile, private tours are potentially available every day.
BOOK NOW
🎓 Postgraduate | 📚 Art History Expert | 🏛️ French Ministry Licensed | 🏆 5× Travelers' Choice | ⭐ 250 Five-Star Reviews
Learn more about your guide →
"More Than a Tour — A True Understanding of Notre-Dame
Feb 2026 • Couples
Our visit to Notre-Dame ended up being one of the highlights of our Paris trip.
I had visited Notre-Dame before, but what made this visit different was understanding it. Our guide didn’t just point out features — he explained the meaning behind them, how the space was used, why elements were designed the way they were, and how they connected to the people and history around the cathedral. It transformed the experience from “beautiful building” into a story you could follow as you walked.
By the end, I had a much deeper appreciation for what I was looking at, along with several memorable stories I’ll continue sharing whenever I talk about our trip. If you want more than a surface-level tour and actually want to understand Notre-Dame, I’d absolutely recommend booking with Broaden Horizons."
JennD549 • Minneapolis, Minnesota • Tripadvisor
"Exciting Guided Tour
Feb 2026 • Friends
Excellent guided tour of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Our guide has managed to adapt to the constraints (many visitors, guided tour only on Saturday morning and limited time to respect mass times). We highly recommend."
Pascal B • Tripadvisor -
⛪ Organization, Schedule, and Content of the 2-hour Notre-Dame Tour
The Tour Includes the Interior and the Exterior of the Cathedral, with Flexibility:
- The proportion between the inside and outside of the cathedral varies with the contingencies, mainly the weather outside and the crowd inside.
- The size of the queue to enter the cathedral is also a factor; by organizing our tour in the early morning, we minimize its impact.
- The audience profile and specific interests are also taken into consideration.
- Your guide will adapt the tour organization according to the situation on the day of your tour.
- Anyway, the inside part of the tour should not last more than one hour.
Optional Time for Prayer
- On a private tour, we can reserve a little time for prayer at your convenience.
- On a semi-private tour, it is also the case each time everybody agrees, which is usually the case.
Typically, the Tour is Organized That Way:
- Line to enter the Cathedral: Some explanation may be given there.
- Interior Sacred Space Exploration: Nave and choir discovery, restoration highlights, stained glass interpretation, chapels and altars, religious artifacts.
- Exterior Gothic Masterclass: Flying buttresses engineering, rose windows analysis, portal sculpture iconography, Chimeras, and gargoyle functionality.
- Cathedral disposition (map) and liturgy.
- Esotericism, Symbolic, Alchemy, and Hermeticism.
- History of France and the Notre-Dame Cathedral, including the April 2019 fire.
- Some Walks in Île de la Cité: With Seine River perspective, depending on the circumstances, we may stroll to Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Sainte-Chapelle (exterior), Conciergerie (exterior), or the flower market.
⛪ Organization, Schedule, and Content of the 3-hour Notre-Dame Tour - With Marais or Latin Quarter or Saint-Germain or Île de la Cité
The 3-hour tour is basically the same as the 2-hour tour, but with an extra hour, allowing us to broaden our exploration of the historical center of Paris. After your visit to Notre-Dame (up to one hour maximum), you can choose to continue with one of the following options:
- The Marais: Ile Saint-Louis, Timber houses; Baroque and Renaissance Private mansion; Place de Vosges royal square, etc.
- Quartier Latin: Ancient Roman bath, Hôtel de Cluny (Gothic private mansion); Sorbonne University; Luxembourg Garden; and Palace, etc.
- Saint Germain: Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, the oldest in Paris; Procope Café and the French Revolution; Café de Flore, etc.
- Île de la Cité: Île Saint Louis; Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, and Saint-Severin churches; Conciergerie; Flower Market; Sainte-Chapelle; and Place Dauphine royal square, etc.
Nota Bene: The description of the four tour extensions (The Marais, Quartier Latin, Saint-Germain, and Île de la Cité) is just to give you an idea of what may be seen; what will actually be seen during the tour may be different. We don't enter the monuments or the cafés; if possible, we may enter some churches. We do not enter the Sainte-Chapelle.
Timber house in the Marais.
📜 Discover Notre-Dame's 860 Years of History & Gothic Innovation
Medieval Construction Marvel (1163-1345)
France is the place to learn about the Gothic. Indeed, it was invented in the north of Paris (reconstruction of the ambulatory (chevet) of the royal abbey church of Saint-Denis, under Abbot Suger between 1140-1144) and was initially called francigenum opus (French Work); the word Gothic was first contemptuously used in the late Renaissance following first Art Historian Giorgio Vasari who used the term "barbarous German Style" in his 1550 Le vite (Lives of the Artists).
Notre-Dame Cathedral represents a pinnacle of Gothic architectural achievement, with construction under Bishop Maurice de Sully in 1163 and spanning nearly 200 years.
Despite its construction starting only 19 years after the Saint-Denis Church Innovation, due to its lengthy construction, it showcases both Early (or "Primitive") Gothic and later Rayonnant (or "High") Gothic styles.
Notre-Dame's construction followed traditional building practice: it started at the east end (the chevet), where the main altar is, so that Mass could be celebrated as soon as possible. The nave followed, and finally the westwork (the facade with its towers).
The North and then the South transepts were the last parts to be built, so they were constructed in the late Rayonnant (or "High") Gothic style.
The outside of the Notre-Dame Cathedral is a unique opportunity to discover or rediscover most of the Gothic architecture vocabulary. In this photo of the south lateral side of Notre-Dame are: the south rose, pinnacles, gables, flying buttress, pointed arches, etc.
Cathedral Main Entry: the Westwork
The western facade is a gate that leads from the profane world (the city of Paris) to the sacred world (the church). The forecourt (also called parvis) is an intermediary space between the holy cathedral and secular Paris.
The symmetrical facade (or more precisely, harmonious) is divided horizontally and vertically into three parts, an apparent reference to the Holy Trinity.
The three sets of entryways on the westworks confirm the focus on the Trinity.
But as the cathedral is dedicated to "Notre Dame" (French for "Our Lady"), its facade is first of all dedicated to Marie:
- The south lateral portal is dedicated to Saint-Anne, the mother of Marie, and then to the birth of Marie.
- Then, in the middle of the facade, in front of the western rose, three sculptures display The Annonciation, when the archangel Gabriel told Marie that she will give birth to Christ.
- Last, the north lateral portal, called the Portal of Marie, tells the story of the Virgin's death. It is also famous for its representation of Saint-Denis, the first Bishop of Paris, wearing his head.
West rose window of Notre-Dame de Paris with the three sculptures representing the Annonciation.
Below the scene of the Annunciation, the central portal, the most famous one, is the Portal of the Last Judgment. It represents the judgment of God, according to Saint Matthew.
- Its main scene, on the lintel, shows the Archangel Michael weighing the souls of the dead. On one side, the blessed are led to paradise, while on the other side, the damned are dragged to hell by demons.
- Above, on the tympanum (the semi-circle that stands on top of the lintel) is Christ throning in his glory and showing the wounds he received at crucifixion.
Above the three portals is the Gallery of the King, a series of twenty-eight monumental sculptures depicting the kings of Judah, Christ's ancestors through the Virgin Mary. They are the link between the three New Testament portals and the ancient Testament.
Photo: The Last Judgment Portal of the western facade of Notre Dame. It is the most famous one.
Gothic Architecture Masterclass
Experience comprehensive education in Gothic architectural principles through Notre-Dame's exceptional design.
Understand revolutionary engineering innovations such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. Understand how they enabled unprecedented height and luminosity, creating spaces that seemed to defy gravity and reach toward heaven itself.
Understand how flying buttresses function as external support systems, allowing for thinner walls and larger windows.
Examine the mathematical precision behind Gothic proportions, the symbolism embedded in the famous rose windows, and the acoustic engineering that creates the cathedral's legendary sound quality.
Notre-Dame, the choir and the ambulatory (chevet) from the transept. Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the earliest Gothic churches, the construction of which began in 1163. Inside, you will discover all the amazing original architectural characteristics of the Gothic: pointed arches, ogives crossing, massive pillars and capitals, etc.
Witness to French History's Greatest Moments
Since the recapture of Paris following the Hundred Years' War in 1437, Parisians have celebrated their military victories on the forecourt of Notre-Dame. In the 15th century, as well as in 1918, a “Te Deum”, the hymn of feasts and victories, was sung there.
During the Liberation of Paris, on August 26, 1944, because of the remaining German snipers around, a shorter “Magnificat” was sung instead.
In 1302, Philip the Fair convened the Estates General for the first time to consolidate royal power. He did so at Notre-Dame. Nearly 500 years later, when Louis XVI did the same in Versailles, it triggered the French Revolution.
During the French Revolution, Notre-Dame suffered damage and was even transformed into a wine warehouse. Under Robespierre's leadership, it became the Temple of the Reason (le Temple de la Raison).
Finally, at the end of December 1793, the cathedral was put up for sale for demolition. Claude-Henri de Rouvroy de Saint-Simon (future founder of the Saint-Simonian religion) offered to buy it for 450,000 francs. Still, the auction was cancelled following the fall of Robespierre on 9 Thermidor (27 July 1794).
Photo: Notre-Dame Cathedral during the liberation of Paris in August 1944.
In December 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor there in the presence of Pope Pie VII. Everything was organized in a way to mask the damage of the Revolution.
Later in the 19th century, Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" was published in 1831, literally saving the building from demolition and triggering its restoration in 1845 by Viollet-le-Duc.
The coronation of Napoleon at Notre-Dame Cathedral. December 2, 1804. The famous David painting is now on display in the Louvre Museum.
Photo of Notre-Dame restoration before 1841, after the French Revolution, and before Viollet-le-Duc. No More spire, no more king in the king's gallery, no more statue-colonnes in the portals, etc.
This small 1832 oil canvas by Eugénie Henry illustrates a passage from The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo.
One of the famous Viollet-le-Duc chimeras they are the symbol of its 19th-century restoration.
The Great Fire and Miraculous Restoration (2019-2024)
Learn more about the dramatic Notre-Dame fire on April 15, 2019.
Know what the different hypotheses of the causes of the drama are, and how the French finally managed to stop the fire, but how close they were to losing their iconic Cathedral.
Know also how France reached the feat of reopening its most famous church in December 2024
The devastating April 2019 fire, although tragic, led to remarkable archaeological discoveries and innovative restoration efforts that significantly enhanced our understanding of medieval construction techniques.
Our guides share exclusive insights into the restoration process, including the discovery of previously unknown architectural elements, the use of advanced conservation methods, and the international collaboration that brought this masterpiece back to life.
Photo: Notre-Dame Cathedral on fire on April 15th, 2019.
Photo: Notre-Dame Cathedral on fire on April 15th, 2019.
The Reopening of December 2024 and the Pursuit of the Restoration Work
The December 2024 reopening of Notre-Dame was the main milestone of the Notre-Dame restoration project, but not the end of it.
The Second main milestone was the reopening of the tower for visits on September 20, 2025, and the timeline continues in the years ahead:
- 2025: Restoration of the chevet (east-end) and the sacristy
- 2026: Installation of stained glass windows
- 2027: Forecourt, facade enhancement, and landscaping
After the controversy surrounding the installation of a new modern spire (ultimately, a replica of the previous one was chosen), the planned replacement of six 19th-century stained-glass windows in 2026 is one of the most debated aspects of Notre-Dame's post-fire restoration.
President Emmanuel Macron has championed this project to install new stained glass windows designed by contemporary French artist Claire Tabouret. The idea is that these modern artworks will replace six 19th-century windows from the south aisle, which survived the 2019 fire but will be relocated to a museum setting.
While Macron and Paris cathedral officials support this artistic modernization, the decision has sparked significant controversy. Preservation advocates have launched petition campaigns and are threatening legal action, arguing that the historic windows should remain in their original locations rather than being substituted with contemporary designs.
Notre-Dame Cathedral, the nave after restoration in early 2025, a little after the reopening of 2024. Notre-Dame is now much whiter than before the restoration—photo copyright Broaden-horizons.fr.
👑 The Crown of Thorns and the Relics of the Passion: The Symbol of Notre Dame resurrection
With its double ambulatory allowing continuous procession around the choir, Notre-Dame was architecturally designed as a pilgrimage church. It remains one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations, drawing millions annually to venerate its most precious treasure: the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Christ during his crucifixion.
Saint Louis and the Sacred Crown
In 1239, King Louis IX—later canonized as Saint Louis—acquired the crown from Constantinople for 135,000 livres, nearly half of France's annual treasury. He initially built the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle to house the Crown of Thorns and other Passion relics, including fragments of the True Cross and a nail from the crucifixion. Napoleon transferred these sacred objects to Notre-Dame in 1806, making the cathedral the guardian of Christianity's most venerated relics.
Rescue, Return, and Veneration
On April 15, 2019, firefighters formed a human chain to rescue the Crown of Thorns from the burning cathedral—an act witnesses called miraculous. On December 13, 2024, it returned triumphantly in a solemn procession, now displayed in a stunning new reliquary designed by Sylvain Dubuisson in the axial chapel behind the choir.
Beginning January 10, 2025, the crown is displayed for public veneration every Friday, continuing Notre-Dame's centuries-old Lenten tradition. During our Notre-Dame Cathedral tour, your guide will explain the crown's history, its architectural significance, and why this humble circlet of thorns has drawn pilgrims to Paris for nearly eight centuries.
The Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. Credit Gavigan CC BY-SA 3.0.
🎵 The Grand Organ: the Other Symbol of Notre-Dame's Resurrection
When the Grand Organ awakens during Mass, its thunderous voice fills every corner of the cathedral, vibrating through stone pillars and reverberating off vaulted ceilings—a physical experience as much as an auditory one. Look up as you enter through the western portal: the organ's monumental baroque case spans the entire width of the nave sixteen meters above, its gilded facade concealing France's largest musical instrument.
An Instrument of Historic Grandeur
The Grand Organ of Notre-Dame comprises approximately 8,000 pipes, 115 stops, and five keyboards, making it France's most celebrated organ. While the earliest documented instrument dates to 1403, the current organ owes its grandeur to legendary 19th-century builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, who completed his masterwork in 1868. Remarkably, he preserved numerous pipes from medieval and Renaissance periods—some over 600 years old—meaning today's listeners hear sounds that have resonated through Notre-Dame for centuries.
The cathedral employs four titular organists representing the pinnacle of the organ profession in France: Olivier Latry (serving since 1985), Vincent Dubois, renowned composer Thierry Escaich, and Thibault Fajoles. These virtuosos perform during the cathedral's 2,500 annual services and prestigious concert series.
Miraculous Survival and Triumphant Return
Like the rose windows discussed above, the Grand Organ miraculously survived the April 15, 2019 fire structurally intact. However, toxic lead dust and water damage necessitated an unprecedented restoration. All 8,000 pipes were meticulously removed, cleaned, and restored over four years by master organ builder Bertrand Cattiaux and his team, who worked through countless night sessions while construction continued during the day.
The organ's awakening on December 7, 2024, provided one of the most emotional moments of the cathedral's reopening. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich performed the traditional ceremony, calling out eight times: "Organ, sacred instrument, awake!" As the first notes filled the newly restored nave, audiences discovered something extraordinary: the cathedral's cleaned limestone walls now create enhanced acoustics with sound reverberating for eight seconds—nearly double the previous duration. The organ has never sounded more magnificent.
Experience the Organ During Your Visit
While the organ tribune remains closed to visitors, during our Notre-Dame Cathedral tour you'll see the majestic instrument case above the western entrance, and your guide will share insider stories of its miraculous survival, the nocturnal tuning sessions that restored its voice, and its continuing role in liturgical life. Music enthusiasts can hear the instrument during daily Masses (8:00 AM, noon, 6:00 PM weekdays) or Sunday afternoon concerts at 5:00 PM. Check the official service schedule or visit Musique Sacrée à Notre-Dame for the complete concert program featuring this legendary instrument.
If you want to no more about the Grand Organ we offer in our blog a complete guide dedicated to the Grand Organ and the Bells of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
💡 Understand Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral and Know Its Secrets
Understand What you See, What you Don't - Seven Cathedrals in One
- The former Romanesque Notre-Dame cathedral, before the Gothic one - What remains of it.
- The medieval icon, the architectural chalenge very first large Gothic cathedral.
- The Cathedral of Louis XIII, Louis XIV, and the Bourbon kings.
- The Notre-Dame Cathedral, saved by Victor Hugo.
- The Monument restored by Viollet le Duc - The stylistic doctrine.
- The Cathedral of the Hausmanian Paris.
- The Post 2019-fire Notre-Dame - how it differs from the previous one.
Understand how Notre Dame de Paris and Gothic Churches are Organized
Learn to read a church map.
- Why is Notre-Dame oriented west to east?
- Why is the entry at the west, at the occident?
- What is a nave? Why are there five naves in Notre-Dame?
- What is the transept? What is its significance? What is his function?
- What is the ambulatory? What is it for?
- Why is Notre-Dame ending with an apse? What is a Chevet?
- What is a basilica? Is Notre-Dame a basilica?
Learn Some Basics of Roman Catholic Liturgy
- What is a Cathedral? Why is Notre-Dame a Cathedral?
- Are there more cathedrals in Paris?
- Why are there two altars in Notre-Dame's central nave?
- What are the chapels for? Why are there so many chapels in Notre-Dame?
- Why is there an altar in each chapel of Notre-Dame?
- What is an altar stone?
- What is a tabernacle? What is a pulpit?
- What is the Vatican II Council?
- What are the Stations of the Cross?
MAP of Notre Dame cathedral. Learn how to read a map of a church to understand its structure and organization.
Understand How and Why the Post 2019 Fire Notre-Dame was Reorganized
- The new baptistery and the extension of the liturgical space.
- How everybody is welcomed - The definition of catholicism.
- The new route of visit - Its significance - The consequences.
Know the Secrets of Notre-Dame de Paris
Learn about :
- Esotericism: Hidden meanings of things.
- Symbolic: expressing or representing an idea without using words - Etymologically, "put together".
- Alchemy and Hermeticism - Can we find the Golden Ratio in Notre-Dame?
🎨 Learn about The Artistic Program of the Cathedral
The Choir Wall
Built between 1300 and 1350, it is a wall intended to separate the choir from the ambulatory and its noises.
The 14th-century enclosure is adorned with sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Even if the eastern part and western part (the choir screen) were destroyed during the 17th and 18th centuries, the two sections that reach us (the north and south parts) are some of the most significant ones that reached us.
Notre-Dame de Paris_south choir wall.
The Other Gothic Sculptures
The Virgin of the Pillar is a late Gothic Master piece. The statue was found intact near the rubble of the transept vault, just soaked by the water sprayed by Colossus, the firefighting robot used inside the cathedral. A big part of the sculpted decor (including the famous Gothic statues-colonnes) is from the Viollet-le-Duc XIX century renovation, as the original one was strongly damaged during the French Revolution.
The Stained Class Windows
Most of the original medieval stained glass windows were removed by the cathedral's canons to be replaced with more modern translucent ones. The present stained glass windows are either XIX-century Viollet-le-Duc ones or abstract ones from the second half of the XX century.
The Rose Windows
The three XIII-century roses of Notre Dame Cathedral miraculously escaped the 2019 fire. Marie, to whom the cathedral is dedicated, is a recurring subject of the roses.
- Western Rose Window (the oldest)
- North Rose Window (1250)
- South Rose Window (1260), which echoes the North one
Learn more about roses and stained glass windows with our dedicated post.
One of the Notre-Dame rose windows (photo taken before the fire).
The claire-voies (clerestories) below the Roses
Below the South Rose Window is the most famous one. It is structured around four major prophets of the Old Testament carrying the four Evangelists of the New Testament: Isaiah carries Matthew, Jeremiah carries Mark, Ezekiel carries Luke, and Daniel carries John.
This arrangement, inspired by Chartres Cathedral, symbolizes the superiority of the new covenant (New Testament) built upon the old, with these four major prophets serving as the pillars of the Christian faith. It is part of the global symbolism of the transept in which the South Rose Window, dedicated to the New Testament, echoes the North Rose Window dedicated to the Old Testament.
South Rose Window Clerestory.
The Gargoyles and Chimeras
Among Notre Dame's most captivating features are the mysterious gargoyles and chimeras that crown its towers. While most visitors use these terms interchangeably, they're actually quite different: the true gargoyles are functional medieval waterspouts designed to protect the cathedral from water damage, while the famous chimeras—including the contemplative "Stryga" gazing over Paris—are 19th-century decorative additions created during Viollet-le-Duc's restoration. These stone guardians perch 46 meters above street level, offering both dramatic views and a window into centuries of architectural evolution. During our private Notre Dame tour, we'll decode the symbolism behind these grotesque figures, distinguish authentic medieval engineering from Victorian Gothic fantasy, and explore how they miraculously survived the devastating 2019 fire.
Our Notre Dame private and semi-private tour does not include a visit to the tower of Notre Dame, where the Gallery of the Chimeras is (the towers are forbidden to guided tours). Nevertheless, your guide will obviously evoke them in the tour. If you want to try to see some chimeras from the ground, you'd better come with good binoculars. Your guide knows most of the chimera locations in the gallery; the Stryga is at the northwest angle of the north tower.
If you want to dive deeper into the fascinating history of chimeras and gargoyles, read our comprehensive blog post: Notre Dame Gargoyles: The Complete Guide.
The Stryga: Notre Dame de Paris's most famous chimera, with two other less famous ones.
The Furniture
Following the loss of Notre-Dame's furniture by April 2019, when most of it was destroyed or damaged, the Diocese of Paris launched a call for candidates to design new liturgical furniture on October 17, 2022.
The new Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, then commissioned a French artist, Guillaume Bardet, to create a new set of liturgical furnishings — including the altar, tabernacle, cathedra, side chairs, ambo, and baptistery.
In a post on the Fondation Bettencourt-Meyer website, Guillaume Bardet explains his vision for the project.
The design of the 1500 chairs for the faithful was entrusted to Ionna Vautrin.
The Archbishop of Paris specifically called for “noble simplicity” and the respect of “the spirit of the Catholic liturgy, according to the meanings and norms established following the Second Vatican Council.”
The prelate also wanted to create a unified whole, where the pieces “fit well together,” as the liturgical pieces destroyed or damaged in the 2019 fire were designed in different styles.
The presentation press release details the entire project. Initially estimated at 6 million Euros, it finally cost 7 million.
We will discover the fantastic result during our tour.
The Paintings: The Mays of Notre-Dame
The Mays of Notre Dame form an extraordinary collection of paintings that once decorated the cathedral’s interior, offering insight into 17th-century Parisian art and devotion.
Between 1630 and 1707, the goldsmiths’ guild commissioned a new painting each May as a tribute to the Virgin Mary and gave it to Notre Dame. Unfortunately, all these works were scattered during the French Revolution.
Of the seventy-three paintings commissioned from 1630 to 1707, only fifty-one were recovered. During the 19th-century restoration of Notre Dame by Viollet-le-Duc, it was decided to reinstall only a few of them in Notre Dame; most are housed in French museums, such as the Louvre, or the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Arras, and in some churches. In the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church is "The Resurrection of Lazarus" by François Verdier.
Fortunately, some of these French Baroque and Classical masterpieces are still on show in Notre Dame. Here are some of the most stunning works:
Hanging in the north transept is "Saint Peter healing the sick with his shadow" (1635), by Laurent de La Hyre (One of the founders of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1648). The painting exemplifies the French classical painting style popular in Paris between 1630 and 1640. The painting hung in the north transept of the cathedral.
"The Stoning of Saint Stephen" (1640), by Charles Le Brun, the first painter of the Sun King and principal founder of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. The Primo-Martyr Saint Stephen is key at Notre-Dame, as the Gothic cathedral was built on the site of a Romanesque one dedicated to Saint Stephen.
"The Preaching of the Prophet Agabus to Saint Paul" (1687), by Louis Chéron, a painter twice honored with the Prix de Rome. In Rome, he studied Italian mannerism under the masters. His mannerism is visible through the acidic colors to the right of the painting.
There are also two admirable paintings by Lubin Beaugin, a very peculiar painter, characterized by the stunning softness of his works.
A page on the Notre-Dame official website lists all the paintings and artifacts on display in the cathedral.
If you are interested in French 17th-century Baroque and classical Painting, Broaden-Horizons.fr offers a 17th-century Louvre French painting tour as a French painting Crash Course (Middle Ages to 19th-century).
The Stoning of Saint Stephen_by Charles le Brun_may Notre Dame de Paris.
May de Notre Dame de Paris St. Peter Preaching in Jerusalem by Charles Poërson.
➕ More about Notre-Dame Cathedral
Videos
- Virtual Reality Video of the construction of Notre-Dame by Paris 3DS and Dassault Systèmes.
Amazing Ubisoft Virtual Reality Video: decide from each angle you see the cathedral, while the video runs. - French video: Notre-Dame au coeur de l'histoire. (Notre-Dame in the earth of history).
Practical information
- Service schedule: Time of the mass, angelus, vespers, etc.
- Music sacrée: Sacred music program at Notre-Dame.
- Online tickets for the Notre Dame towers on the official Centre des Musées Nationaux website.
- Fondation Notre Dame: Since 1992. Give to help.
Our Notre-Dame Blog Posts
🗼 After Your Cathedral Tour: Continue Your Paris Discovery
Nearby Must-Visit Attractions
- Sainte-Chapelle: A 13th-century Gothic chapel with the world's most spectacular stained glass windows (3-minute walk)
- Conciergerie: Explore the medieval royal palace transformed into a revolutionary prison where Marie Antoinette spent her final days (5-minute walk)
- Latin Quarter: Discover medieval streets, Sorbonne University, and an authentic Parisian atmosphere (10-minute walk across the Seine)
Recommended Dining Experiences
- Café Saint-Régis: Historic Parisian café on Île Saint-Louis with Notre-Dame views and traditional French cuisine
- Berthillon: Legendary Parisian ice cream parlor, perfect post-tour treat with unique flavors since 1954
- Le Procope: Oldest café in Paris (1686) in the Latin Quarter, frequented by Voltaire, Rousseau, and revolutionary intellectuals
- Les Deux Palais: Authentic bistro near Palais de Justice serving classic French dishes in a medieval setting.
- Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole: one of the oldest restaurants in Paris (founded in 1512), at a stone's throw away (a little over 100m) from the cathedral itself, a very tiny and pretty restaurant, so centrally located but away from the hustle and bustle on the Île de la Cité.
Some of the famous stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle.
Shopping & Cultural Extensions
- Marché aux Fleurs: Historic flower market on Île de la Cité, transforms into a bird market on Sundays
- Shakespeare & Company: Iconic English-language bookstore facing Notre-Dame (10-minute walk)
- Île Saint-Louis Galleries: Artisan shops, antique stores, and local craft boutiques in a preserved 17th-century setting.
- Crypte Archéologique: Underground museum revealing Roman and medieval Paris foundations beneath Cathedral Square
- Musée de Cluny: This is France, National Museum of the Middle Ages. The fantastic collection includes remains of the original Notre-Dame Kings gallery, destroyed during the French Revolution.
✨Other Paris Private Tours You May Love
Enhance your Paris discovery with our other expertly guided experiences, each revealing hidden facets of the City of Light through passionate local expertise:
Latin Quarter Medieval Discovery
Explore medieval Paris, the Sorbonne University, Roman ruins, and literary history in this enchanting Left Bank neighborhood—a perfect complement to Notre-Dame's religious heritage with academic and intellectual traditions.
Louvre Museum Masterpieces
Skip museum lines and discover world-famous artworks with expert art historian guides. From Mona Lisa to Venus de Milo, experience artistic treasures that complement Notre-Dame's architectural artistry.
Two of the most Famous paintings of the Louvre are Notre-Dame related:
- The Coronation of Napoleon by Neoclassical Painter David (The scene appended in Notre-Dame)
- Liberty Leading the People by Romantic painter Delacroix (Notre-Dame is prominent in the background)
Ile de la Cité Tour
It is an introduction to Paris, with a stroll to and around the Île de la Cité, to understand its extraordinary history from the Gauls and ancient Roman beginnings to the Middle Ages and the modern era.
Saint-Louis by El Greco. It is one of the famous Louvre Paintings. It represents Saint-Louis (or Louis IX), he is the only French king who is a saint. He is the one who brought the Crown of Thorns to Notre-Dame and then to the Sainte-Chapelle. Now the Crown is in Notre-Dame again.
Notre-Dame to The Marais
This tour starts on the Left Bank just beside Notre-Dame, close to Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (the third-oldest church in Paris) and the oldest tree in Paris (planted in 1601 under King Henry IV). Then we cross the Île de la Cité at the level of Notre-Dame, and then the Île Saint-Louis to finally reach and explore the most famous part of the Marais.
Marais Historic District Walk
Uncover Jewish heritage, aristocratic mansions, and trendy galleries in Paris's most eclectic neighborhood. Experience multicultural Paris that complements Notre-Dame's central French Catholic identity.
Latin Quarter to the Marais
An introduction to the two most iconic historical districts of Paris, crossing Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis.
Most of the very few Paris timber houses are concentrated in Le Marais, very close to Notre-Dame Cathedral.
🚌 Famous Cathedrals Around Paris - Orleans Cathedrale Tour - CHARTRES CATHEDRAL TOUR
If you're interested in learning more about Gothic cathedrals, four of France's most famous ones are located in cities that are roughly an hour away from Paris by train.
Amiens Cathedral
The largest Medieval Gothic cathedral in France is renowned for its perfectly preserved 13th-century architecture. Its western facade features over 3,000 carved figures telling biblical stories, creating what Victor Hugo called "the Parthenon of Gothic architecture."
Reims Cathedral
Known as the "Cathedral of Kings," Reims Cathedral was the traditional coronation site for French monarchs, where 33 kings, including Clovis and Charles VII (crowned by the will of Joan of Arc), received their crowns. The cathedral is also renowned for its stunning rose window.
Chartres Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral boasts the world's most extensive collection of medieval stained- glass windows, with 176 original windows dating to the 12th and 13th centuries still intact today. The cathedral is also renowned for its mysterious labyrinth inlaid in the floor. We can organize tours there. Write us an email.
Orléans Cathedral
Orléans Cathedral is competing with Amiens Cathedral for the title of the largest Gothic cathedral in France. Still, it can't be called medieval as it was mostly rebuilt during the Baroque period. Orléans and its cathedral are forever linked to Joan of Arc, who attended a service here after liberating the city from the English siege in 1429. The cathedral features beautiful Art Nouveau stained glass windows depicting Joan's story. Orléans is also the entry point (from Paris) to the Loire Valley with an impressive Renaissance heritage.
Broaden-horizons.fr is also established in Orléans and offers tours of the Orléans Cathedral, as well as Tours of the city and of its famous Museum of Fine Arts. We also offer a Full-day Orléans tour departing from the train station (train arriving from Paris).
Despite mainly being a flamboyant Gothic building, the Orléans Cathedral was strongly influenced by Notre-Dame Cathedral. Indeed, its facade was directly inspired by that of Notre-Dame de Paris.
❓ FAQs Notre-Dame Cathedral
Is Notre-Dame Cathedral fully reopened after the 2019 fire damage?
Is entry of Notre-Dame free?
Yes, the entry to Notre-Dame, like all the other French churches, is Free. On Notre Dame's official website, you can get tickets for the same day (or the very next one, rules change very often) to avoid the main line (without tickets). These tickets are free but are usually difficult to get (huge demand). By law, no one is authorized to sell tickets to Notre-Dame.
How far in advance should we book, and what's your cancellation policy?
What are your photography policies inside the cathedral?
How do you handle weather conditions and seasonal variations?
How many people per Notre-Dame private tour?
A private tour of Notre-Dame is possible for a maximum of up to 5 people. Our private tours are genuine private tours, for your party only. We do not add any people to your party. If you book a private tour for three people, you will be the only three people on the tour. No one will be added. Semi-private tours are different; we gather people in a group of up to five.
How many people per Notre-Dame semi-private tour?
In semi-private tours, we gather different people in a group of up to five people.
Do we climb the towers during the tour?
No, we do not climb the towers during the tour. The towers are not part of the tour. To visit the towers independently, please go to the official Centre des Musées Nationaux website.
Are the towers open for the visit?
The tower reopened to visitors September 20, 2025.
How to avoid the crowd in Notre-Dame?
To avoid the crowd in Notre-Dame, come in the early morning. Always verify first when the cathedral opens and if there is a mass on Notre Dame's official website,
Things to know before Booking
Meeting Point
Beside the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The exact meeting point is given in the booking confirmation.
Access
- RER Line C or Line B: Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame station
- Metro Line 4: Cité or Saint-Michel station
- Metro line 1: Hôtel de Ville station
Notre-Dame Cathedral Tours - Attention Points
- Prices do not include transportation, food, drinks, or any other extra services.
- Tour duration & content are purely indicative; they may vary due to contingencies.
- Weather: The tour will start on schedule, rain or shine.
- Notre Dame is a religious site; wear proper attire.
- Do not bring your luggage to the tour; you won't pass the security line. Carefully check what is authorized or not in the cathedral before coming.
NO GUARANTEE OF NOTRE-DAME INDOOR ACCESS
WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ACCESS INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL, WHICH REMAINS FIRST OF ALL A PLACE OF WORSHIP.
The diocese may at any time add new restrictions or schedule adjustments; security concerns may also arise. If the Cathedral interior is not accessible on the day/time of your tour, you won't be refunded for the tour, and an outdoor substitution tour will be immediately done instead.
Two cases:
- Private tours: You choose, with your guide, the substitution tour you want in the area (Notre Dame outdoor, Ile de la Cité, Marais, or Latin Quarter). A partial refund (100 €) of the tour is offered (paid later via the internet).
- Semi-Private Tours: The group, with their guide, chooses a substitution tour in the area (Notre-Dame outdoor, Ile de la Cité, Marais, or Latin Quarter). In case the group didn't agree on the subsitution tour, the guide decide. No partial refund of the tour is offered.
Book Your Notre-Dame Cathedral Tour
Just follow the below 4 steps online easy process.
1. Request a date & schedule for your tour
2. Receive our answer email - if yes you have 24h to pay
3. Pay your private tour on line by credit card
4. Receive
confirmation & meeting point
Nota bene : answer to step (2) is most of the time yes.
Notre-Dame Private Tour
2 hoursA group of up to 5 people
English language
Notre-Dame Private Tour Extended
3 hoursA group of up to 5 people
English language
Notre-Dame Semi-Private Tour
2 hoursPer person
A group of 5 people maximum
English language
Notre-Dame Cathedral, the central nave from the altar. Photo copyright Broaden-hrizons.fr.