Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of those “only in Paris” moments: the island setting on the Seine, the iconic Gothic façade, and the feeling that you’re standing inside living history. After the 2019 fire, the cathedral officially reopened in early December 2024, and visits are now possible again—with free entry and an optional (but strongly recommended) time-slot reservation.
Below is a practical, no-fluff guide with exact opening hours, tickets/prices (including the Treasury and Towers), best transport options, airport routes, and common mistakes to avoid.
Why Notre-Dame Cathedral is worth your time 📍
Even if you’ve seen Notre-Dame Cathedral from the outside before, visiting now is a different experience: entry flow is organized via free time slots, and the visitor path inside has been redesigned to make the visit clearer for everyone (tourists and worshippers alike).
Top reasons to go:
- 🏛️ A world-class Gothic landmark on Île de la Cité (central Paris).
- 🕯️ Active place of worship (Mass is open to everyone).
- 💎 Add-ons that deepen the visit: the Treasury (paid) and the Towers (paid, timed, stairs-heavy).
- 📸 Best photo angles nearby: bridges and riverbanks around the island are unbeatable at golden hour.
Address & entry basics ✅
Address (official):
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris.
Free entry + optional reservation (read this first) ⚠️
- Cathedral entry is free.
- A free time-slot reservation is optional but highly recommended to reduce waiting (especially during busy periods).
- Time slots typically open the day before, two days before, or same day.
- Scam alert: fake “skip-the-line” tickets are a real problem—official sources explicitly warn that third parties reselling “free tickets” are not legitimate.
Practical takeaway: If you want a smooth visit, book the free slot. If you go without one, expect longer waits (and in peak periods, it can be brutal).
Notre-Dame Cathedral opening hours ⏱️
Official opening hours:
- Mon–Fri: 7:50 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thu: 7:50 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sat–Sun: 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Best times to visit (to avoid crowds):
- ✅ Early morning (first 60–90 minutes after opening)
- ✅ Late afternoon on weekdays
- ✅ Thursday evening (later closing)
Tickets & prices (Cathedral vs Treasury vs Towers) 💳
| Experience | Price | Reservation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral interior | Free | Optional but recommended | Free time-slot reduces waiting; entry still possible without it |
| Treasury (inside cathedral) | €12 full / €6 reduced | No online reservation | Tickets bought at Treasury desk; separate opening hours |
| Notre-Dame Towers | €16 | Mandatory | No ticket sales on site; strict rules + many stairs |
Treasury opening hours (paid) 🏺
- Mon–Sat: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (until 9:00 PM on Thursdays)
- Sun: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Towers (paid) — hours, price, and what it’s like 🗼
- Seasonal hours:
- Apr 1–Sep 30: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Oct 1–Mar 31: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Last admission: 1 hour before closing
- Closed: Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25
- Price: €16 (and some free-entry categories exist, but you still must reserve a time slot).
- Physical reality check: ~424 steps, up to 69 meters, narrow passages—this is a workout.
- No entry without reservation + no on-site ticket sales.
How to get to Notre-Dame Cathedral 🚇🚌
Notre-Dame sits on Île de la Cité—super central and easy to reach by public transport.
By Metro 🚇
- Metro line 4 → Cité (closest station)
By RER (regional rail) 🚆
- RER B or RER C → Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame
By bus 🚌
- Bus lines 87, 47, 75 stop near the cathedral
By tram 🚋
Not direct, but possible:
- Tram T3a → Pont du Garigliano, then RER C → Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame
Taxi / ride-hail 🚖
If you’re short on time, a taxi drop near the island can be convenient—but traffic around central Paris can be slow. For most visitors, Metro 4 or RER B/C is faster.
✈️ Airport Connections: easiest routes to Notre-Dame Cathedral
Paris has two main airports. Here are simple, reliable routes.
From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) → Notre-Dame Cathedral
Fast public transport plan:
- RER B from CDG toward central Paris
- Get off at Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame (walk a few minutes to the cathedral)
Cost note: The Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket is €14 (full fare) for rail trips to/from airports.
From Orly (ORY) → Notre-Dame Cathedral
Clean route:
- Take Metro Line 14 from Aéroport d’Orly toward central Paris
- Go to Châtelet (about 26 minutes to Paris-Châtelet)
- Transfer to Metro Line 4 → Cité, then walk to Notre-Dame
Cost note: Airport rail travel uses the Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket (€14 full fare).
Getting around Paris after the airport 💳
Starting in 2026, a single Metro-Train-RER ticket is €2.55 (non-airport trips).
What to see at Notre-Dame Cathedral (a smart mini-plan) 📍
1) The cathedral interior (free)
If it’s your first visit, do this in order:
- ✅ Pause in the nave and let your eyes adjust (it’s part of the experience).
- ✅ Follow the visitor flow and signage (it’s designed to reduce bottlenecks).
- ✅ If you want a quieter moment, aim for early morning.
2) The Treasury (paid) 💎
If you like sacred art, historical objects, or museum-style displays, the Treasury is the best “upgrade” for the visit:
- Paid entry: €12 / €6 reduced
- Separate hours
- Tickets bought on-site (no online reservations)
3) The Towers (paid, time-slot, stairs) 🗼
Do the Towers if you want skyline views and don’t mind a serious climb:
- €16
- Mandatory reservation
- 424 steps and narrow sections
Tips & common mistakes (save time + avoid scams) ⚠️✅
- ✅ Book the free cathedral time slot if you can—same day or day before is often possible, and it dramatically reduces waiting.
- ⚠️ Never buy “skip-the-line” cathedral tickets from third parties. Official sources warn these are worthless.
- ✅ If you’re going to Mass, you don’t need a reservation; there’s a dedicated queue shortly before the service.
- 🗼 For the Towers: don’t show up hoping to buy tickets on-site—no on-site sales, and no entry without reservation.
- 👟 Wear proper shoes for the Towers (and skip them if you have issues with steep stairs or tight spaces).
- ⏱️ Remember last entry rules: cathedral last entry is 30 minutes before closing; Towers last admission is 1 hour before closing.
FAQ
Is Notre-Dame Cathedral free to enter?
Yes—cathedral entry is free. A free time-slot reservation is optional but recommended to reduce waiting.
Do I need a reservation to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral?
Not mandatory, but highly recommended—especially during busy periods.
Are the Notre-Dame Towers free?
No. The Towers are a paid visit (€16) with mandatory reservation and no on-site ticket sales.
How do I get to Notre-Dame by metro?
Take Metro line 4 to Cité station (closest).
What’s the easiest route from CDG?
Take RER B to Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame, then walk.
Conclusion
Notre-Dame Cathedral is back—and visiting it well in 2026 is mostly about smart logistics: grab the free time slot if you can, use Metro 4 (Cité) or RER B/C (Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame), and don’t fall for fake “skip-the-line” offers. If you want to level up the visit, add the Treasury for a museum-quality deep dive, and tackle the Towers only if you’re ready for stairs and timed entry.
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