Notre Dame Paris: 2025 Visitor FAQs You Need to Read

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 resumed on June 9, 2025. Each group is limited to 25 people, and participants must use official headsets. Tours are not allowed during Mass, on Sundays, or on Saturday afternoons. Advance reservations are required.

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.

Treasury and crypt are open, and bell towers reopen in summer 2025.

Not yet. The bell towers are currently closed due to ongoing restoration and safety upgrades. They are scheduled to reopen in summer 2025, with limited capacity and a redesigned visitor experience featuring a double-helix staircase.

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, from June 2025, guided tours are available in English, French, and Spanish. These official tours provide in-depth insights and include access to the cathedral’s interior and exterior, subject to scheduled time slots.

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.

Yes, free organ performances are held every Sunday at 4 pm. The Grand Organ is also played during the 10 am, 11.30 am, and 6 pm Masses on Sundays, creating a powerful and moving musical experience.

The Éternelle Notre-Dame VR experience offered an immersive, virtual walk through the cathedral’s history and architecture. It was available near Notre Dame and at La Défense until March 2025. Now, it’s not available

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 to visitors with a valid main floor reservation. There is a €12 entrance fee, payable on-site. It showcases religious artifacts and artworks and is open daily except during certain services or holidays.

If you arrive late, you are allowed to enter up to 20 minutes after your scheduled time slot. However, entry is not guaranteed after that, especially during busy times when the cathedral is at full capacity.

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 publicly on the first Friday of each month from 3 to 5 pm. After the ceremony, it is displayed in the reliquary until 6 pm for quiet viewing and personal prayer.

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.

Restoration is ongoing for several parts of the cathedral, including the bell towers, chevet, sacristy, and many of the flying buttresses. These sections are expected to be fully restored by the end of 2028.

The middle section of the spire and its decorative elements are still under construction and are expected to be completed by summer 2025. The spire is being rebuilt using traditional materials and techniques.

By 2030, the surroundings of Notre Dame will be enhanced with a green park, riverside seating, an underground promenade, and over 100 new trees. The plan aims to create a cooler, greener, and more accessible space.

Yes, from summer 2025, visitors will be able to view the restored wooden roof structure, known as “The Forest,” from a newly built viewing terrace between the towers. This will be part of the redesigned bell tower experience.