Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral
Everything you need to plan a visit to Notre-Dame de Paris — opening hours, the free reservation system, how to get there, security and dress rules, accessibility, and the separately-ticketed Bell Towers, Treasury and Crypt. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after its five-year restoration and is once again free to enter for all visitors.
Opening hours
| Monday – Friday | 7:50 AM – 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 7:50 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM |
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Hours can change for special services and celebrations, and tourist access pauses during scheduled Masses, though worshippers may always enter.
Free entry and the reservation system
Entry to the cathedral nave is free for everyone, and no ticket is ever sold for it. A free timed reservation is strongly recommended from April to October, when walk-in queues can reach two to three hours; slots open only a few days ahead on the official website. In the quieter months, walk-in waits are usually short. Beware of any site charging for “basic entry” — those tickets are worthless.
Getting there
Notre-Dame sits on the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement, at 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris. The nearest metro is Cité (Line 4), a two-minute walk; Saint-Michel (Line 4 and RER B/C) and Cluny–La Sorbonne (Line 10) are also close, as are several bus lines. It is an easy walk from the Latin Quarter, the Louvre and the Marais. There is no practical visitor parking on the island — come by public transport.
Security, bags and dress code
All visitors pass through a security check. Large bags and luggage are not permitted inside, and prohibited items will be confiscated. As an active place of worship, Notre-Dame has a modest dress code: shoulders covered, no short shorts or skirts, nothing transparent. Bring a light layer in summer so you are not turned away at the door.
Accessibility
The cathedral's main floor is step-free and wheelchair accessible. The Bell Towers are reached by staircase only and are not accessible. Several guided tours are listed as wheelchair-friendly — check the individual tour before booking if this matters to you.
The Bell Towers, Treasury and Crypt
Three parts of the site carry their own tickets, separate from the free cathedral entry:
- Bell Towers — reopened in September 2025; a 422-step climb to the chimera gallery and the great bells. Around €16, booked online in advance through the Centre des monuments nationaux (no on-site counter).
- Treasury — sacred vessels, reliquaries and the Crown of Thorns; around €12, paid on site.
- Archaeological Crypt — Roman and medieval Paris beneath the parvis; around €9, separate entrance and schedule.
Best time to visit
Early morning, right at opening, is the calmest and least crowded. Late weekday afternoons are a good second choice. Weekends between 2 and 4 PM are the busiest, with the longest lines. In peak summer, a morning reservation is well worth the small effort of booking ahead.
Where is Notre-Dame?
6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris