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 2,500 visitors 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 from 9 am to 10.45 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm
Extra slots from 7 pm to 9 pm on Thursdays
Sunday:
Time slots are generally available between 1.30 pm and 4 pm
Important to Know:
- No time slots are offered during Mass times.
- 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 11.50 pm.
- Time slots are released daily at midnight (Paris time) for the date two days ahead.
- You should join the virtual queue (waiting room) at least 10–15 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 6 people per reservation.
- Please only choose the number of individuals who will actually visit, as reservations are non-transferable and cannot be cancelled.
- 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 may be asked to show a photo ID upon entry.
- You will receive your booking confirmation and a PDF with a QR code at the email address you provided when making the appointment. When you reach the line, ensure you have the PDF saved or downloaded and ready to show, either digitally or printed.
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 a 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 30 minutes, extra “same-day” time slots are released 4 hours in advance. For example, at 5 am (Paris time), time slots for 9 am become available. At 5.30 am, slots for 9.30 am, and so on.
✔️ Apart from the scheduled releases, some hours never have time slots; therefore, no new slots will be released.
✔️ Additionally, extra slots might be released randomly during the day, depending on the planned and/or current capacity 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. Starting June 9th, authorized guides are allowed inside the cathedral during reserved time slots. Your guide will explain key highlights both outside and inside Notre Dame and ensure a smooth entry with your group’s reservation. Explore with deeper insights and skip the long queues with a well-planned guided experience.
Book Guided TourEntry 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 “Reservations with QR code” queue, which is in front of the central portal and marked by an orange sign/banner. Have your QR code (printed or digital) and a valid photo ID ready.
- Those without reservations must join the “Access without reservations” queue, which is on the left side of the cathedral (if you’re facing it), and is marked by blue signage/banners.
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) have been allowed to enter since February 1, 2025. All pilgrim groups must register in advance, and group size is limited to 10 people.
Tour groups and guided tours are now allowed inside Notre Dame as of June 9, 2025:
If you’re visiting as part of a group and want a more immersive experience, you can now choose from authorized guided tours that explore both the exterior and interior of the cathedral.
Guided tour rules:
- Maximum 25 people per group
- All participants must use official headsets (available for rent on-site)
- Tours are not permitted during Mass times, on Sundays, or on Saturday afternoons
- However, you cannot just walk in with a group; you must book your tour slot in advance using the official group reservation system.
Reservations for tour groups opened in March 2025 and can be made up to three months in advance.