Filed under: attraction, cathedral, sightseeing, top-feature
Paris at its Best: Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous attractions in Paris, and also offers some of the best views of the City of Lights from atop its massive twin towers.
Walk in the same steps as Napoleon and King Henry VI who were both crowned in the cathedral, and also get a glimpse into the spiritual and daily lives of Parisians dating back two millennium, to when Celts and then Romans ruled the city. For literary fans, Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer from Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, also called the cathedral his home.
The cathedral, located in the center of Paris, actually sits on one of two small islands on the Seine River. Notre Dame is also just a short walk from the famous Latin Quarter, the Sorbonne and the oldest bridge in Paris, Pont Neuf, which dates back to 1607.
The island site (Île de la Cité) is also home to La Sainte-Chapelle, a famous classic Gothic chapel known for its stained-glass windows, and is located just a couple blocks away from Notre Dame. It, too, is worth a visit.
From the outside, Notre Dame or Our Lady of Paris cathedral, offers some of the best examples of medieval Gothic architecture in Europe, complete with its world-recognized flying buttresses supporting its outer walls, a pair of massive towers, dozens of stone relief carvings, and its famous gargoyles. All these make Notre Dame a must see site during any visit to Paris.
The two towers, reaching over 225 feet (69m), made the cathedral the tallest structure in the area for centuries. Today, it still offer excellent views of the Paris skyline. Stepping inside the cathedral is just as impressive, with three massive stained-glass rose windows, an 18th century 7,800-pipe organ and room for 9,000 worshipers in its huge and open interior.
Once inside, you should be instantly hit with a sense of awe and tranquility. The windows cast calming shadows of colorful hues streaming in through the windows. Massive interior walls soaring over 10 stories tall are dotted with stained-glass windows and dozens of statues, paintings and art works depicting famous Christians and important moments throughout Christianity. Taking over 165 years to construct, Notre Dame first opened in 1330, on a site of a previous Catholic church.
During the French Revolution, much of the cathedral’s art, sculptures, gargoyles and interior pieces were removed, stolen or damaged. The structure was also hit by the occasional artillery shell resulting in slight damage in 1914 during the Paris bombardment of World War I. In the 1800s, a major 20-year reconstruction project was completed and since World War II, additional reconstruction and preservation initiatives have been executed.
Besides touring the cathedral on your own, there are several guided tours and other sites to visit (some fee based) that should not be missed. To enjoy a comprehensive tour, plan at least 4 hours to tour and visit all that the cathedral offers, including:
- Top of the towers
- Sacristy, Treasury and precious relics collection
- Archaeological Crypt
- Cathedral’s Sacristy and Treasury
- Exterior walk
- Night shows
- Religious services
Tower Visit – Climbing the 387 step staircases (no elevators) to the top of the bell towers may make you feel as if you are following Quasimodo or Esmeralda, but the resulting views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower in the distance are breath-taking and well worth the climb. The stairwells and stone pathways leading to the towers are narrow and winding, and can be slightly claustrophobic to some visitors. But during your climb, you’ll get close-up views of several of the drain spout gargoyles, the stone chimera – mythical fire-breathing creatures, Esmeralda’s Cell, panoramic views of the massive roof and spire, as well as taking the final corkscrew climb to the belfry for a view of the 13-ton Emmanuel bell in the south tower. The bell is the cathedral’s largest of five bells, made famous in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. If possible, try to plan your visit on a clear day for the best views and photo opportunities of the Paris skyline.
Sacristy, Treasury and Precious Relics Collection – Christians will be impressed to see the cathedral’s unique collection of items said to be artifacts from the life of Christ. If your visit occurs on the first Friday of any month, visit the precious relics collection that includes the highly-treasured original Crown of Thorns, a piece of the original crucifix and a nail from the cross Christ was crucified on. Another 29 artifacts from King Louis IX, who was latter named Saint Louis are also on display. Additionally, many other historical relics from saints, popes and Christians can be viewed by the public daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm and Sundays between 1:30 and 5:30 pm.
Archaeological Crypt – Under the cathedral’s entrance courtyard is an archaeological excavation that dates back to ancient Paris. First discovered in 1965, the crypt lets visitors see elements of the successive construction of the area staring with a 1st century AD Gallo-Roman village. Artifacts and examples that are on display include the remains of Gallo-Roman river wharf, structural walls dating back to 300 AD, numerous household items covering close to 1500 years, and even graves from the near-by 6th century Hôtel-Dieu, the first hospital in Paris.
Cathedral’s Sacristy and Treasury – A unique collection of liturgical objects, decorations furniture, and pieces of art, most made from gold that represent fine quality neo-gothic gold craftsmanship over the past four centuries are on display in the sacristy.
Exterior Walks – To appreciate the size and grandeur of Notre Dame, take a stroll around the entire structure. Gazing on the massive stonework, flying buttresses, and windows makes most people contemplate how builders were able to erect such an impressive building over 700 years ago.
Stop by for a rest on the benches in the Square Jean XXIII, and the Square de l’Ile de France, the small parks near the cathedral for great views of the sweeping arches.
The square in front of the Cathedral offers excellent views of the towers and three entrances portals. While in front of the cathedral, look for Point Zero, a bronze octagonal brass plate in the shape of a star embedded in the plaza, just off the main entrance. It marks the official center of Paris from where all distances in the city are measured from and makes another great photo opportunity.
Night Shows – Throughout the year, nighttime visitors can watch a visual and sound “opera” or selected specialty films projected on a 300 square foot transparent screen hanging in the nave. These free public shows feature different aspects of Notre Dame and Christianity, including an hour-long film about the history and importance of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. During December, a special Christmas show is also presented. Check the online schedule to determine presentation times.
Religious Services – Catholic services and mass is offered daily (schedule). All services are in French, except the Sunday 11:30 am international mass, with some parts and prayers in English and other languages.
Cathedral of Notre Dame – 6 Place du Parvis Notre Dame, 75004 Paris, France (map)
Dates and Hours – Daily 8:00 am to 6:45 pm, and until 7:15 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Mass services are held daily at various times. Other areas:
Tower – Open Daily except January 1, May 1, and December 25. Hours (subject to change):
- April 1 – September 30 – 10 am – 6:30 pm, June, July and August – on Saturdays & Sundays until 11 pm
- October 1 – March 31, 10 am to 5:30 pm
- Night services are held from May to October when the cathedral may be open late.
Last tower access 45 minutes before closing.
Sacristy and Treasury – Monday – Friday 9:30 – 6 pm, Saturday until 6:30, Sunday 1:30 – 6:30 pm.
Free Tours – These tours include a spiritual message and cover the cathedral’s history, architecture, stained-glass windows, art and sculptures. English tours are offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 pm and Saturdays at 2:30 pm. No reservations needed.
Audio Guides – Self-guided 35-minute audio guides are available at the reception desk for €5.00.
Admissions – Most ticket sales end at 5:30.
- Cathedral Admission – free.
- Tower tours – Adults €7.50, Juniors (18 to 25) €4.80, Children Free. Tower visits are free the first Sunday of each month November through March. Tour groups of 20 people start every 10 minutes, at the foot of the North tower (building left), so at times lines may occur.
- Sacristy Admission – Adults €3.00, Students € 2.00, Children €1.00.
- Archaeological Crypt – Adults €3.30, Seniors 60+ €2.20, Children 14-26 €1.60, children under 13 free. Entrance is a stairwell square across from the Cathedral’s front doors, across from from Police headquarters.
- Night shows – free, in the plaza.
A Paris Museum Pass will allow entrance to some of Notre Dame’s sites, but not all.
Nearest Metro Subway Stations – Cité or Saint-Michel – Line 4.
Parking – Limited area paid garage parking is available.
Images – Flickr – Gargoyle view, front, window
