Notre Dame Cathedral

(UPDATE: Notre Dame Cathedral is currently off-limits due to fire damage.)

Notre Dame's immense interior—with its fluted columns, ribbed vaults, and prismatic windows—is a fantastic example of French Gothic architecture. Guided tours that include skip-the-line entry are the best way to visit the cathedral; not only will you avoid long lines, but your guide's expertise will ensure you notice even subtle details.

The cathedral can also be visited as part of a full-day Paris sightseeing tour—itineraries typically cover places such as the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre, or include a Seine River cruise, and provide insight into the history and culture of France.

• The cathedral is set to reopen in December 2024.

• A Paris museum pass covers skip-the-line entry to 50 top Paris attractions, including Notre Dame and Musée d'Orsay.

• Climb the 387 steps of the north tower, braving gargoyles along the way, for panoramic views of Paris.

• Notre Dame Cathedral is not fully wheelchair accessible, as there is a small step to enter and a few steps inside.

Notre Dame's central location makes it incredibly easy to reach by public transportation. Take the RER B or RER C line to the St-Michel Notre-Dame station, or to Cité on Line 4 of the Metro. To walk there, follow the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower for a 1-hour stroll brimming with Parisian highlights and hidden gems.

The cathedral is not set to reopen until December 2024. If visiting Paris in the winter, head to Notre Dame right before closing to watch the sunset and see the City of Light twinkle. In the evening, the cathedral's square comes to life in a riot of music and performance. Watch street performers juggle fire, grab a bite from a vendor, or simply admire Notre Dame illuminated by night.

Notre Dame Cathedral may be one of the most famous examples of French Gothic architecture in the capital, but it's far from the only one. Explore more Parisian Gothic at the Cluny Museum, home to half a dozen impressive wall hangings; head to Saint Chapelle to admire some of the most beautiful medieval stained glass; or stop by the Church of Saint Severin in the 5th arrondissement.

Not yet. Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen in December 2024, following the devastating fire in 2019. However, the surrounding area, including its public square and access roads, will remain under construction for years to come. Despite the ongoing construction, much of the exterior is still visible.

The best ways to reach Notre Dame Cathedral are via public transportation. Take Métro line 4 to Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame stations; both are a few minutes’ walk from the landmark. Saint-Michel Notre-Dame also is served by lines B and C of the RER commuter train and numerous bus lines.

Yes, although tour groups cannot currently enter the cathedral, a number of itineraries stop outside the landmark. Options range from walking tours of the Île de la Cité and central Paris to private driving tours, hop-on hop-off bus tours, river boat tours of the Seine, and many more.

Notre Dame dates to the 12th century and is the most famous among Europe’s Gothic cathedrals. Considered a symbol of France—and one of Paris’ main landmarks—it has played a key role in important moments in French history (like the crowning of Napoleon) and was immortalized in fiction by Victor Hugo.

Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité, right in the heart of the city. It is near many other top Paris landmarks, including Sainte Chapelle, the Conciergerie, and the Hôtel de Ville. It’s also a highlight of the Banks of the Seine UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yes, it is worth visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, even while it is undergoing renovation following the 2019 fire. Thankfully, the cathedral’s iconic exterior is still well-preserved, and it remains an icon of the Paris cityscape. Architecture fans should be sure to visit once tours of its interior resume.