Side profile of Notre Dame in Paris

Notre-Dame Paris – Tickets & Tours

Entry to Notre-Dame Cathedral is free, but guided tours unlock the full depth of its 860-year history. From intimate groups of 5 to comprehensive Île de la Cité experiences, find the right tour for your visit.

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No tickets are sold on site. All tickets for the bell towers, the crypt, and guided experiences must be purchased online in advance. The on-site ticket office is expected to open at the beginning of September. In case of exceptional closure, e-tickets purchased via the Centre des monuments nationaux are automatically refunded—no claims needed.

Guided Tours of Notre-Dame

Expert-led experiences inside and around the cathedral

Notre-Dame Interior & Exterior Guided Tour
👥 Max 5 guests ⏱ 1 hour 🏛 Interior + Exterior

Notre-Dame Interior & Exterior Guided Tour

The most intimate Notre-Dame experience available. A certified licensed guide leads just 5 guests through the exterior façade and inside the restored cathedral—covering the ribbed vaults, rose windows, and sacred relics in a semi-private setting.

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Notre-Dame Small Group Guided Tour
👥 Max 10 guests ⏱ 1h 45min 🏛 Interior + Exterior

Notre-Dame Small Group Guided Tour

A premium small group experience with just 10 participants. Your licensed guide covers the Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows, and restoration story in depth—with enough intimacy to ask questions and explore at a comfortable pace.

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Notre-Dame Guided Tour
👥 Max 20 ⏱ 1h 45min 🏛 Interior + Exterior

Notre-Dame Guided Tour

The classic guided experience covering both the exterior and interior with an expert English-speaking guide. Covers Gothic architecture, the fire, and the five-year restoration.

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Notre-Dame + Sainte-Chapelle & Crypt
👥 Max 15 ⏱ 1.5–2 hrs 🗺 Combo tour

Notre-Dame + Sainte-Chapelle & Crypt

Outdoor walking tour of Notre-Dame’s exterior with optional entry to Sainte-Chapelle, the Archaeological Crypt, or both. Includes Shakespeare and Company and hidden Île de la Cité gems.

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Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie
🎫 Skip-the-line ⏱ 2–2.5 hrs 🗺 3 landmarks

Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie

The most comprehensive Île de la Cité tour. Guided Notre-Dame exterior, pre-reserved entry to Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass, and the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned.

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Official Tickets & Reservations

Free entry, bell tower tickets, and the reservation system explained

Notre-Dame Tickets – Official Website Guide

Notre-Dame Tickets – Official Website Guide

Everything about official Notre-Dame tickets—bell tower access, crypt entry, pricing, and where to buy. Includes step-by-step booking instructions for the CMN ticketing portal.

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Notre-Dame Reservation System Explained

Notre-Dame Reservation System Explained

How the free reservation system works, how to secure your time slot, and what to do if slots are full. Updated for 2026 with current protocols and tips for peak season.

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Visitor Information

Free admission, eligibility, and what to know before you go

Who Gets In Free?

Entry to Notre-Dame Cathedral is free for everyone. However, certain visitors qualify for free tickets to the bell towers and crypt:

  • Under 18 years of age
  • Ages 18–25 (EU nationals and non-EU residents in France)
  • Disabled visitors and one accompanying person
  • Jobseekers (with a certificate less than 6 months old)
  • Holders of a valid French education pass
  • First Sunday of January, February, March, November, and December
  • ICOM and ICOMOS members
  • Ministry of Culture cardholders and one companion

Free tickets are available daily for all open time slots. Once the free ticket quota for a slot is reached, only paid tickets can be reserved. Book in advance to secure your spot.

Refund Policy & Booking Tips

In the event of exceptional closure, e-tickets purchased through the Centre des monuments nationaux online ticketing service are automatically refunded to the bank account that was debited. No claims are necessary—though please allow for a processing delay.

Key booking tips:

  • No tickets are sold on site—purchase online only
  • The on-site ticket office opens in September
  • Book guided tours well in advance during peak season (April–October)
  • Check the opening hours before your visit
  • Review the dress code requirements—entry will be denied otherwise

Prohibited Items at Notre-Dame

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO CHANGING ROOMS OR LOCKERS ON SITE

  • Motorbike helmets
  • Bicycle helmets (only permitted inside a bag)
  • Drones, selfie poles, and camera tripods
  • Bicycle batteries
  • Pushchairs (front baby carriers allowed), scooters, rollerblades, skateboards
  • Knives, scissors, and sharp objects
  • Glass bottles
  • Luggage of any size
  • Rucksacks exceeding 40×40×20 cm
  • Animals (except guide and assistance dogs for disabled card holders)
  • Smoking, vaping, and alcohol

For your comfort and safety, visitors in flip-flops, stiletto heels, swimming costumes, and bare chests are not permitted on the circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Notre-Dame Tickets

Common questions about tickets, tours, and visiting the cathedral

Is entry to Notre-Dame Cathedral free?

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Yes, entry to the main floor of Notre-Dame Cathedral is completely free for all visitors. However, access to the bell towers and the Archaeological Crypt requires a paid ticket, which must be purchased online in advance. Guided tours are a separate service and carry their own fees, but they are not required to enter the cathedral. Learn more about how the reservation system works.

Can I buy Notre-Dame tickets at the cathedral?

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No, tickets are not sold on site. All tickets for the bell towers, the crypt, and guided tour experiences must be purchased online before your visit. An on-site ticket office is expected to open at the beginning of September. Until then, the only way to secure tickets is through the official Centre des monuments nationaux ticketing portal or through authorised tour operators.

Do I need to book a guided tour to visit Notre-Dame?

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No, a guided tour is not required. You can visit Notre-Dame independently by joining the free general admission queue. However, a guided tour adds significant value—expert guides explain the Gothic architecture, the medieval stained glass, the 2019 fire, and the restoration in ways that are impossible to discover on your own. Tours range from intimate groups of 5 to larger groups of 20, with options that also cover Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.

What is the difference between the guided tours available?

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There are five main guided tour options. The Interior & Exterior Tour (max 5 guests) is the most intimate. The Small Group Tour (max 10) and the Standard Guided Tour (max 20) both cover the exterior and interior. The Notre-Dame + Chapelle & Crypt tour (max 15) focuses on the exterior with optional nearby site entries. The Three-in-One Tour is the most comprehensive, covering Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Conciergerie with pre-reserved tickets.

Who qualifies for free tickets to the bell towers and crypt?

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Free tickets are available for visitors under 18, EU nationals aged 18–25, disabled visitors with one companion, jobseekers with a certificate less than 6 months old, holders of a French education pass, ICOM and ICOMOS members, and Ministry of Culture cardholders with one companion. Free admission also applies on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November, and December. Free tickets are subject to availability per time slot—once the quota is reached, only paid tickets remain.

What happens if Notre-Dame closes on the day of my tour?

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Exceptional closures can occur at short notice due to religious events, security concerns, or maintenance. If you purchased e-tickets through the Centre des monuments nationaux, they are automatically refunded to the original payment method—no claims are necessary, though there may be a processing delay. For guided tours booked through third-party providers, refund policies vary; some operators offer alternative walking tours of Paris as a substitute.

What should I wear to Notre-Dame Cathedral?

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Notre-Dame enforces a strict dress code. Shoulders must be covered (no sleeveless tops), and shorts or skirts must be knee-length or longer. Visitors in flip-flops, stiletto heels, swimming costumes, or bare chests will not be permitted entry. Hats should be removed inside the cathedral. For full details, read the Notre-Dame dress code guide.

Can I bring bags and luggage into Notre-Dame?

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Luggage of any size is strictly prohibited, and there are no changing rooms or lockers on site. Rucksacks are permitted only up to a maximum size of 40×40×20 cm. Pushchairs are not allowed (front baby carriers are fine), and items such as drones, selfie poles, camera tripods, glass bottles, and sharp objects are also banned. Plan to travel light when visiting the cathedral.

When is the best time to visit Notre-Dame to avoid queues?

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Early morning (shortly after opening) and late afternoon (the last two hours before closing) are the quietest times to visit. Midday and early afternoon see the heaviest foot traffic, especially during peak season from April to October. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. Booking a guided tour can also help, as tours with interior access bypass the general admission queue. For detailed timing advice, see our best time to visit Notre-Dame guide.

Are Notre-Dame guided tours available in languages other than English?

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The guided tours featured on this page are conducted in English with live, in-person guides. Some tour operators offer French and Spanish tours as well—check the specific tour listing for language availability. Audio guides in additional languages may also be available at the cathedral. All guides speak directly to the group without headsets, which creates a more personal and conversational experience.

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