Notre Dame Opening Hours (Updated 2025) – Best Times to Visit & Avoid Crowds

Notre Dame Cathedral opening hours are from 7.45 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday, with extended hours on Thursday when it closes at 10 pm. 

On Saturdays and Sundays, the opening hours are from 8.15 am to 7.30 pm. 

The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Quick answer – Notre Dame opening hours 2025

  • Monday to Friday: 7.45 am – 7 pm (until 10 pm on Thursdays)
  • Weekends: 8.15 am – 7.30 pm
  • Treasury Hours: Mon-Sat (9.30 am – 6 pm), Sun (1 pm – 5.30 pm)
  • Best Time to Visit: 8 am (morning) or after 4 pm
  • Last Entry: 30 minutes before closing

👉 Tip: Reserve your free entry slot online to skip the line and guarantee access during busy hours.

Treasury opening hours

The Treasury at Notre Dame Cathedral is open to visitors at the following times:

Monday to Saturday: 9.30 am – 6 pm

Sunday: 1 pm – 5.30 pm

The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Ensure you arrive early to fully explore the Treasury’s collection of sacred relics and artifacts.

Notre Dame Cathedral reopened to the public in December 2024, with special ceremonies held on December 7 and 8. These marked the culmination of extensive restoration efforts following the fire that severely damaged the iconic spire and roof. While the Notre Dame Cathedral opening hours have returned to normal, the bell towers remain closed for restoration and are expected to reopen in Summer 2025.

Archaeological Crypt timing

The archaeological crypt beneath Notre Dame Cathedral remains open during the restoration and welcomes visitors daily, except Mondays.

Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm

Mondays: Closed

⭐Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance.


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Concert schedule

Experience the ethereal beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral through its regular concert schedule.

Concerts at Notre Dame Cathedral are held on specific days of the week.

Starting January 14, 2025, concerts will be held inside Notre Dame every Tuesday at 8.30 pm. Visitors can check the program and ticket prices on the Sacred Music at Notre Dame de Paris website

On Sundays, a free Great Organ Recital is held at 4 pm, offering an incredible musical experience for all attendees.

Learn how to book concert tickets.

Mass timings at Notre Dame Cathedral

Mass services at Notre Dame Cathedral are open to the public and free to attend. No reservations are required. Admission is first come, first serve and subject to the cathedral’s strict capacity limit (max 3,000 people, including staff, clergy, and volunteers).

DayTimeService
Monday to Friday8 amAngelus and Mass
12 pmAngelus and Mass
3 pmRosary
5.30 pmVespers
6 pmMass and Angelus
6.45 pmEucharistic Adoration (Thursday only)
Saturday8.30 amAngelus and Mass
12 pmAngelus and Mass
3 pmRosary
5.15 pmFirst Vespers
6 pmAnticipated Mass and Angelus
Sunday8.30 amMass
9.30 amLauds
10 amGregorian Mass
11.30 amMass
5.15 pmVespers
6 pmDiocesan Mass

👉 Pro Tip:

  • Due to Mass services, Sundays are the busiest days at Notre Dame Cathedral. Plan visits for weekdays or early mornings to avoid crowds.
  • For weekend or special Masses, arrive 45 minutes early to get a seat at the front.
  • For weekday Masses, arriving 20 minutes early is usually enough.

Other important times you may want to know

Confessions 

  • Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm
  • Sunday: 4 pm to 6 pm

Veneration of the Crown of Thorns

  • Until June 2025: Every Friday from 3 pm to 5 pm
  • From July 2025: Every first Friday of the month

This sacred relic draws visitors worldwide, making Fridays a unique time to experience the spiritual essence of Notre Dame Cathedral.


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The best time to visit Notre Dame Cathedral

The best time to visit Notre Dame Cathedral depends on your preference for quiet, peaceful exploration or vibrant, spiritual gatherings.

Notre Dame Cathedral with visitors outside
Image: Exp1.com

Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Notre Dame Cathedral are early morning, late afternoon, or evening. Arriving at 8 am, right when the cathedral opens, lets you enjoy a peaceful experience before the crowds build up.

If you prefer a quieter visit with shorter lines, consider going between 4 pm and 5 pm when fewer people are around. Visiting after 6 pm is a great option for a more relaxed and calm atmosphere, as the crowds tend to thin out by then.

Days to Visit

The best days to visit Notre Dame Cathedral are Tuesday or Wednesday. These midweek days are usually quieter and have fewer tourists, allowing for a more peaceful experience.

It’s best to avoid Sundays as it is the busiest day, with large crowds attending Mass services and other gatherings.

Special visits

Thursday nights are a wonderful time to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, as the cathedral stays open until 10 pm. This allows you to experience its beauty and peaceful atmosphere after sunset, creating a magical nighttime ambiance.

If you enjoy music, consider visiting during Tuesday evenings or Sunday afternoons to catch concerts and organ recitals. These performances add to the cathedral’s charm and offer a unique way to experience its grandeur.

Peak seasons to watch out for

July and August are the peak tourist months at Notre Dame Cathedral, so you can expect large crowds during this time. If possible, try to plan your visit outside of these months for a quieter experience.

It’s also best to avoid visiting on major religious holidays like Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day, and the Assumption (August 15). On these days, the cathedral is filled with worshippers and tourists, making it much busier than usual.

For main floor:
Starting February 1, 2025, pilgrim groups (up to 10 people) can register in advance for a 30-minute silent pilgrimage inside Notre Dame.  From June 9, 2025, tour groups can visit by reserving free time slots online, available from Easter 2025, with additional slots added three months ahead.

How much time to spend in Notre Dame?

A visit to Notre Dame Cathedral usually takes between one to two hours, depending on how much you wish to explore.

For the main cathedral alone, plan for about 45 minutes to an hour. If you’d like to include a visit to the Treasury, set aside an additional 30 to 45 minutes.

Attending a concert or organ recital will require extra time, so be sure to factor that into your schedule.

If you are on a guided tour, it usually lasts around 1 hour, where your guide will show and explain the exteriors of the Notre Dame de Paris, and then you can explore the interiors by yourself.

👉Explore Notre Dame Cathedral guided tours.

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