Private Guided Tour of Notre Dame Island with Cathedral Visit
Description
Step into the story of Paris with this immersive Notre Dame and Île de la Cité walking tour. Stroll through the city’s oldest district, where Paris was born, and uncover the legends, architecture, and heritage that shaped the French capital. Stroll cobbled lanes and riverside quays while learning clear, captivating stories about medieval kings, Gothic builders, and the city’s transformation through centuries. On the route you’ll learn about signature landmarks: the Seine River , Pont Neuf, the former royal prison Conciergerie, and the jewel-like Sainte-Chapelle. The tour’s highlight is a visit inside Notre-Dame Cathedral — your guide explains the cathedral’s architecture, history, and recent restoration, with timed commentary designed for respectful, informative access. Optional upgrades are available at booking: add a Seine River cruise for a different island perspective, and(or) include timed-entry tickets to Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start at Paris' oldest bridge, Pont Neuf, where you’ll learn about its role in linking the city’s two banks and symbolising Paris' growth during the 16th century.
A charming, historic square built in the 1600s, Place Dauphine offers a peaceful escape with its elegant layout and fascinating history.
This former royal palace turned revolutionary prison housed figures like Marie Antoinette. Explore its turbulent past during the French Revolution.
Adjacent to the Conciergerie, the Palais de Justice has been the heart of Paris’ legal system, holding some of the most important trials in French history.
Admire the stunning stained glass windows of Sainte Chapelle, a Gothic masterpiece built by King Louis IX in the 13th century to house sacred relics.
Learn about the role of the Préfecture de Police, Paris' police headquarters, in maintaining law and order throughout the city’s history.
A picturesque market on Île de la Cité, the Marché aux Fleurs has offered flowers and plants since the 19th century, adding color and fragrance to the heart of Paris.
The Hôtel-Dieu is Paris' oldest hospital, founded in the 7th century, and played a vital role in the city's healthcare for over a thousand years.
Though entry is not part of the tour, Notre Dame is free to visit before or after. Explore this Gothic masterpiece, a symbol of Parisian faith and national identity.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The entrance to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is free and open to all. The services offered are independent of access to the interior of the building.
Reviews(20)
I highly recommend getting a private tour guide to see Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. It makes such a huge difference to have the one-on-one interaction. Plus, you can move at your own pace and not be beholden to the pace of others. We had timed tickets for entry at both Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle which Liz, our tour guide, obtained for us. I highly recommend Liz, our tour guide. She was wonderful with my 93-year old mom. She was full of knowledge about both Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. I especially liked that she had an iPad to show us images of Notre Dame after the fire so we could see what it looked like and how much had been restored. When we got to Sainte Chapelle, Liz arranged for us to use the elevator to reach the upper chapel. We probably could have figured out on our own that there was an elevator but having a private guide made it one less thing to worry about. If you're thinking of going to Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, and can manage the expense, I think it's worth the money. Ask for Liz!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and recommendation! We're delighted to hear that you and your mom had such an enjoyable experience exploring Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte Chapelle with Liz. It means so much to us that her knowledge, thoughtful planning, and personal attention helped make your visit both comfortable and memorable. We're especially pleased that the visual references on the iPad enhanced your understanding of Notre Dame's remarkable restoration, and that the elevator arrangement at Sainte Chapelle made the experience easier for your mom. These are the little details we believe can make a big difference. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Liz; she'll be thrilled to know she made such a positive impact on your visit. Thank you again for choosing Astra Via Tours. It was our pleasure to be part of your Paris experience, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable tour!
A friend and I joined a small group (just five of us) for a guided tour (1 hr 15 minutes) of Notre Dame - both the exterior and interior. Our guide was Francois. Although a Frenchman, he conducted the tour in excellent English with good knowledge and humour. It was a hot day and queuing to access Notre Dame was not particularly pleasant but, once inside, we enjoyed its cool temperature and the information that Francois imparted to us. He was always mindful that we had gathered around him and kept up with him before he started speaking. The meeting point had been easy to find and we enjoyed the whole experience!
Lisi from Peru was very knowledgeable and an excellent tour guide. I highly recommend her.
Liz was incredible! Wonderfully knowledgeable and passionate about history! Pleasant and energetic she kept us engaged throughout the experience. Highly recommended!
We had a great tour with Liz. We enjoyed her knowledge of the art in Notre Dame.
Our tour of Notre-Dame with Alexander was fantastic. He explained the history in such an engaging way and made the whole visit feel special. The cathedral is beautiful, and Alexander’s guidance made the experience even better.
I had an amazing time visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral. The architecture is even more stunning in person, and the atmosphere around the cathedral felt so peaceful and historic. Even with some renovations, it was still a beautiful experience. Definitely worth the visit!
Amazing experience! The guide explained everything so well, and seeing Notre-Dame up close was unforgettable. Phenomenal
What an amazing tour! Liz kept us engaged from start to finish with her stories and great energy. We learned so much and truly enjoyed every moment.
What an amazing experience! Alexander made the tour unforgettable his passion, storytelling, and great sense of humor kept us captivated the whole way. We learned so much about Paris and loved every single moment. Highly recommend!
