Overview
Construction began in 1163 and took roughly 200 years to complete, making Notre-Dame a supreme masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. Massive rose windows, flying buttresses, and gargoyle sculptures are unforgettable, and the cathedral inspired Victor Hugo's novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.' The April 2019 fire destroyed the spire and roof, but the cathedral reopened at the end of 2024 after restoration work. Set on Île de la Cité in the heart of the Seine, it looks most beautiful from the riverside promenades on either bank. Free entry (tower tour about EUR 13 extra). 5-minute walk from Cité station (Metro Line 4).
Opening Hours
08:00-18:45 (until 19:15 on Saturdays and Sundays)
Travel Tips
Interior entry is free but the line can be long — go early in the morning. The side profile from the Seine embankments makes the best photo.
Hotels near Notre-Dame Cathedral
Hotels and guesthouses in Paris, Île de la Cité, Paris
Other attractions in Paris
Eiffel Tower
Paris's iconic 330-meter iron tower, especially dazzling after dark.
Louvre Museum
The world's largest art museum, home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Palace of Versailles
The Sun King Louis XIV's opulent palace and its dazzling gardens.
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
A gleaming white basilica crowning the artists' hill of Montmartre.
Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe
The world's most beautiful avenue and Napoleon's triumphal arch.
Musée d'Orsay
An Impressionist treasure trove in a former train station — masterworks by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
Seine River Cruise
Glide along the UNESCO-listed Seine and see Paris's iconic sights in one journey.