FAQs about Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral reopened to the public on December 7, 2024, after five years of restoration following the 2019 fire.

Yes, Notre Dame Cathedral is fully open to the public. Visitors can explore the main floor and attend Mass services. Some areas are still under restoration but will not affect your visit.

Notre Dame is open daily from 7.45 am to 7 pm. On Thursdays, it opens till 10 pm. Special events or holidays may affect opening hours, too.

Entry to the main floor is free. Access to the treasury requires a €12 ticket, which can be purchased on-site.

No, tickets are not required. Only reserving your slot is recommended. Reservations can be made through the official website or app (available on Apple and Android). Walk-ins are possible but not guaranteed due to high demand.

Reservations are available online through the official Notre Dame website or the “Notre Dame de Paris” app. Time slots are released two days in advance at midnight.

Guided tours will resume in June 2025 for groups of up to 25 people. Tours must be booked in advance through the online system.

Yes, Masses are held daily. Reservations are not required for Mass; entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes, the cathedral provides accessible entry and facilities for visitors with disabilities. A designated queue is available.

Late afternoons (4 pm to 5 pm) or after 6 pm offer the best chance to enter without long waits. Thursdays allow late entry until 10 pm.

The maximum capacity is 3,000 people, but typically, only 2,500 visitors are allowed inside for safety.

The fire’s exact cause is undetermined, but investigations suggest an electrical short circuit or a cigarette may have triggered it.

The restoration will continue until 2028. The initial phase, including reopening, was completed in December 2024.

The restoration cost approximately €700 million, funded by global donations exceeding €840 million.

Funding came from international donations and the French government, with support from individuals, corporations, and organizations.

The spire and most of the roof were destroyed. The main stone structure, bell towers, and facade were saved.

Yes, the Crown of Thorns and other significant relics were safely evacuated during the fire.

French oak trees, similar to the original design, were used to rebuild the spire.

Yes, the restoration closely replicates the original design, preserving Notre Dame’s historic appearance.

The complete restoration is expected by the end of 2028. Some areas, like the bell towers, will reopen in summer 2025.

The main floor, treasury, and crypt are open. The bell towers are set to reopen in the summer of 2025.

The bell towers are under restoration and will reopen in summer 2025.

Yes, concerts and services resumed in January 2025. Weekly performances take place every Tuesday at 8.30 pm.

Yes, photography is permitted, but visitors are asked to respect the sacred atmosphere and avoid flash.

Yes, guided tours are available in English, French, and Spanish starting June 2025.

Capacity limits, security checks, and separate queues ensure visitor safety. Large items are not allowed inside.

A typical visit lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Queues may extend the total time.

Yes, visitors can light candles and make offerings during their visit.

Organ performances take place every Sunday at 4 pm, free of charge.

Yes, the VR experience “Éternelle Notre-Dame” offers a virtual walk through the cathedral’s history, available until March 2025.

Yes, Point Zero is visible on the Parvis, the square in front of the cathedral.

Yes, the crypt is open daily except Mondays and is managed by Paris Musées. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance.

Yes, the treasury is open with an entry fee of €12. It can be accessed with a reservation for the main floor.

Visitors are allowed to enter up to 20 minutes after their scheduled time. After this period, entry is not guaranteed.

Yes, the gift shop is at the exit of the main floor visitor route and is open during cathedral hours.

Mass is held daily at 8 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm. Additional services are conducted on weekends and holidays.

Related read: Notre Dame Cathedral opening hours.

Yes, all are welcome to attend Mass. There is a dedicated entry for worshippers.

Yes, special services occur during Christmas and Easter. Entry for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is first-come, first-served.

Yes, the Crown of Thorns is venerated every Friday from 3 pm to 5 pm starting January 10th, 2025, until April 18th.

The Rosary is recited daily at 3 pm, and Vespers occur at 5.30 pm on weekdays and 5.15 pm on weekends.

Notre Dame, completed in 1345, is a Gothic architectural masterpiece and one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks. Explore more historical facts.

The cathedral is over 860 years old, with construction beginning in 1163 and completion in 1345.

Notre Dame’s rose windows are renowned for their intricate designs and vibrant medieval craftsmanship. Explore the architecture.

“Notre Dame” translates to “Our Lady,” referring to the Virgin Mary.

The bell towers, chevet, flying buttresses, and sacristy will undergo restoration until 2028.

The spire’s middle section will be completed by spring 2025.

An expanded green space, riverside park, and underground promenade will be developed by 2030. Over 100 trees and cooling systems will be added.

Yes, a new viewing terrace will allow visitors to see the rebuilt “Forest,” Notre Dame’s wooden framework, starting summer of 2025.