While the visit to Notre Dame Cathedral is free of charge, the Notre Dame reservation system helps you book your time slot in advance, allowing you to avoid unexpected crowds.
This guide answers all your questions about the Notre Dame reservation system so you can fully enjoy the newly renovated landmark.
Notre Dame hours
The main floor of Notre Dame Cathedral is open to visitors during these hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7.45 am to 7 pm (until 10 pm on Thursdays)
- Saturday and Sunday: 8.15 am to 7.30 pm
The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Make sure to plan accordingly to enjoy your visit without rushing.
👉 Explore Notre Dame Cathedral’s opening hours in detail.
Capacity limit and visit duration
The cathedral has a strict capacity limit to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for everyone. At any given time, only 3,000 people are allowed inside.
This makes using the Notre Dame reservation system crucial for seamless entry.
On average, visitors spend about 30 to 45 minutes exploring the main floor, excluding the time spent waiting in the queue to enter.
Notre Dame time slot
Here’s a breakdown of Notre Dame time slots for visitors:
Monday to Saturday:
Time slots are available every 30 minutes, from 9 am to 4 pm. Extra evening slots are available on Thursday from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Sunday:
Fewer time slots are available due to more Masses. You can visit between 1.30 pm and 3 pm.
Important to Know:
- Mass and special events can affect availability.
- Visitors can still enter during Mass, but people attending Mass get priority.
How to reserve a time slot:
The Notre Dame reservation system simplifies the booking process:
Online reservation system:
- Access the Notre Dame reservation system through the official website or their dedicated mobile app (available on Apple and Android) around 11.45 pm.
- Time slots are released daily at midnight (Paris time).
- You should join the virtual queue at least 15 minutes before midnight to secure your spot.
- Reservations can only be made for dates up to two days in advance. Any dates beyond this will appear greyed out (meaning unavailable).
- You can book for up to six people per reservation.
- Please only choose the number of individuals who will actually visit, as reservations are currently non-refundable and cannot be transferred.
- Put in your details.
- Regardless of the number of individuals on the reservation, each reservation is under a single name. Make sure the person whose name you put on the reservation will be there, or else you risk being turned away. You could be requested to present a photo ID upon arrival.
- You will receive your booking confirmation and QR code at the email address you provided when making the appointment. When you reach the line, ensure you have the PDF you saved or downloaded with the QR code close to hand.
Regardless of the number of individuals on the reservation, each reservation is under a single name. Ensure the person whose name you put on the reservation will be there, or you risk being turned away. You could be requested to present a photo ID upon arrival.
Notre Dame de Paris app:
Another efficient way to book is through the Notre Dame de Paris app.
- Download the app from the Apple and Android store.
- Use it to check the Notre Dame reservation system, view opening hours, and explore additional information about the cathedral, including its opening hours, visitor routes, and events.
- Currently, the app is available in French, English, and Spanish, with more languages coming in 2025.
Why reserve your visit?
Fast and hassle-free access
Skip long lines by booking through the Notre Dame reservation system, especially during peak hours.
Comfort and peace of mind
Secure your spot for free and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of this iconic landmark without the stress of uncertainty.
Is reservation mandatory?
While reservations are not mandatory, they guarantee entry during your preferred Notre Dame time slot.
Walk-ins are allowed, but long wait times (2-3 hours) are common without a reservation.
Insider tips for getting reservations
- When people leave Notre Dame, new time slots open up immediately based on how many visitors are currently inside. This means even if you don’t see a time slot at first, one might appear later.
- Every 4 hours, extra slots open for the same day. For example, at 5 am, time slots for 9 am become available.
- Apart from the scheduled releases, extra slots might randomly open during the day, depending on how crowded it is inside.
- For a smoother experience, using a computer (not your phone) and booking through Google Chrome is best.
- Fake websites and third-party sellers are offering paid reservations. Reservations for Notre Dame are always free. Only book through the official Notre Dame website or app.
What if you didn’t get the reservation?
- If you miss reserving a Notre Dame time slot, you can join the physical queue.
- Be prepared for long wait times (2-3 hours during peak hours) and no guarantee of entry. The busiest times are between 10 am and 4 pm and all day on Sundays and holidays. It is harder to get in during these times without a reservation.
👉 Pro Tip: Visit before 9.30 am or after 4 pm for shorter queues.
Another amazing option is taking a guided tour. Although the guides are not allowed inside the cathedral, they will explain everything about the attraction’s exteriors and help you enter the cathedral easily for self-exploration. Explore more.
Buy Ticket
Entry process on visit day
On the day of your visit:
- Arrive at least five minutes before your scheduled time slot.
- If you arrive late, you may still enter up to 20 minutes after your time slot.
- Visitors with reservations should join the “visitors with reservations” queue and have their QR code and ID ready.
- Those without reservations must join the “visitors without reservations” queue and undergo additional security checks.
Security and prohibited items
All visitors must pass through a security check. The following items are not allowed:
- Pets (except service animals)
- Bikes, scooters, and large suitcases
- Weapons, dangerous objects, narcotics, and aerosols
Visitor route inside Notre Dame Cathedral
The main floor route has been designed to offer a meaningful journey through the cathedral:
Entrance: Visitors enter through the Portal of the Last Judgement (central portal).
Route: Begin by turning left, following the north side of the cathedral, around the ambulatory at the back, and then up the south side. This path symbolizes a journey from “darkness into light” and allows you to see the chapels chronologically.
Highlights: View the Choir and Altar from the aisles, ambulatory, and transept crossing. The Choir and Altar are not open for closer access.
Exit: Visitors exit through the Portal of Saint Anne (south/right portal).
There is a gift shop near the exit where you can purchase souvenirs to commemorate your visit. It is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 7 pm, with extended hours until 10 pm on Thursdays and on weekends from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.
Group visits
Pilgrims can visit starting February 2025:
Pilgrim groups (religious visitors) can enter from February 1, 2025. They must register in advance, and groups are limited to 10 people.
Tour groups allowed from 9 June 2025:
Guided tour groups are not allowed inside Notre Dame until June 9, 2025. If anyone offers “a tour inside” before this date, it is not real. The staff will remove unauthorized groups, and visitors usually won’t get refunds.
If you are coming in a group and want to visit Notre Dame, we suggest you buy a ticket that offers a guided tour of Notre Dame’s exteriors and a self-exploration tour of the interiors.
After June 2025, tours will resume with some rules. Group sizes will be limited to 25 people, and all participants must use headphones, which will be available for rent. Tours will not take place during Mass or on Sundays and Saturday afternoons.
Tour slots will be free, and reservations will open in March 2025, three months in advance.