The Ultimate Notre-Dame Cathedral & Île de la Cité Walking Tour
Description
Discover the history, beauty, and remarkable rebirth of Notre-Dame Cathedral with an expert local Paris guide on this immersive walking experience through the heart of historic Paris. Your experience begins with a comprehensive guided walking tour around the exterior of the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral and the historic Île de la Cité. Following your guided introduction, you are free to enter Notre-Dame Cathedral independently allowing you to explore the magnificent interior at your own pace and discover its beauty in a peaceful and personal way. Unlike a traditional interior guided tour, this experience gives you the freedom to spend as much time as you wish inside the cathedral after receiving all the historical context and recommendations from your guide. You'll also explore the enchanting streets of the Île de la Cité, the birthplace of Paris, discovering hidden squares, historic bridges, medieval streets, and many of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Antic religious site where archaeological excavations discovered a pillar used for propaganda. Made by the Nautes (corporation of traders) How the Romans used les Nautes (economic and political power of Paris) to reconcile the Celtic and Greco-Roman pantheon of gods). Great pictures of Notre Dame’s flying buttress.
Enjoy a walk along the Seine, the iconic river of Paris. The Seine and its banks belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in central Paris.
Discover Ile de la Cite, an island in central Paris and home of many landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sainte-Chapelle.
Inside Notre Dame: Enter the 12th and 13th-century Gothic monument. Discover more than 450,000 square feet of cream-colored limestone that has been meticulously stripped of ash, lead dust and centuries of accumulated grime, leaving its soaring vaults, thick columns and tall walls almost startlingly bright, calling out with celestial magnetism. Admire and enjoy the craftsmanship of over 2,000 workers and craftsmen from around France who contributed to the cathedral’s reconstruction. Discover the new liturgical furniture, like the altar; peered at delicately sculpted scenes from the life of Christ. Marvel at gold-leaf stars set across a deep blue ceiling in one of the painted side chapels; and look up at cherubs on the oculus, a ring of stone at the centre of the four vaults that form the cathedral’s transept crossing. Admire the cathedral’s central nave, that has been restored creating the foundation for one of the most spectacular architectural masterpieces ever constructed.
Where we measure the distance of Paris from other places. Step on it to come back to Paris. Where criminals used to repent before their execution.
Walk onto the plaza in front of the cathedral, which is also in the process of being redesigned to open it up toward the Seine River and to help millions of visitors flow through more easily and comfortably. Enjoy engaging narration from your expert-first class guide who will explain the history of the Square dating back to Roman Times. Today it is more commonly known as the Notre Dame Plaza. Guest will also see the Statue of Charlemagne and His Guards, a monumental bronze statue situated on the plaza (parvis) in front of Notre-Dame while they enjoy fascinating insights to this historical French historical figure.
Préfecture de Police 5 mins See the he Paris Police Prefecture, the unit of the French Ministry of the Interior that provides police, emergency services, and various administrative services to the population of the city of Paris and the surrounding three suburban départements of The Paris Police Prefecture supervises the Paris Police force, the Paris Fire Brigade, and various administrative departments in charge of issuing ID cards and driver licenses or monitoring alien residents. The Department is housed in a wonderful historical building clearly showing bullet impact on the building from WWII liberation of Paris from the Germans.
Visit the Flower Market of the Notre Dame Island Located on Place Louis Lépine between the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle Chapel. The flower market has attracted avid gardeners and curious passersby since 1830. Both covered and open-air, the market is mainly formed by pavilions from the 1900s and when open is a wonderful sight to enjoy. * This market is not always open but groups will still walk through the area regardless.
Courthouse of Paris 5 mins While the tour group are on the on the City Island of Paris “Ile de la Cité” they will see one of the oldest and most prestigious official buildings in Paris, the Palais de Justice law courts. As far back as Roman times the site was used as a place of government, and this example was followed by the succeeding Merovingian and Capetian dynasties, which their guide will give an overview of as well as time to take photos.
The Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel in the Gothic style, within the medieval Palais de la Cité, the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine in Paris, France. Construction began sometime after 1238 and the chapel was consecrated on 26 April 1248. We enter later with the people who chose this option. Guests will have time to take photos and enjoy a brief introduction to this exquisite Gothic masterpiece’s exterior. We enter later with the people who chose this option for a 60 minute interior visit.
Guests will stop to take photos and enjoy a fascinating introduction to the Old prison of Paris where Marie Antoinette stayed 9 months. It is here that the famous Revolutionary Tribunal sentenced 2,639 people to be executed by guillotine in Paris during the Reign of Terror, which took place during the French Revolution.
Clock Tower 3 mins Guests will see and learn about out about this 650 year old clock, the first a watchtower for the security of the Royal Palace. It is rectangular, massive, 47 meters high. Its walls were nearly a meter thick. The Clock Tower has undergone extensive restorations. From 1840 to 1843 to consolidate the lower part and establish a guardhouse at its foot, between 1843 and 1848, then between 1860 and 1861, and restored it to its medieval appearance, especially in its upper parts. The vaulted room on the fourth floor, was completely restored, as was the upper level of the tower.
Oldest square in Paris built by Henri IV for his 1st son. Where French people play a game very dear to them: la pétanque.
Oldest bridge in Paris. Stunning view of the Louvre, Seine River, Eiffel tower, French Academy and Monnaie de Paris. End of tour for those without Sainte Chappelle tickets.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
- Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
- Wheelchairs, motorised scooters or any other device to assist mobility are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee: that all footpaths/sidewalks/curbs will have suitable ramps.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older.
- Please bring: Photo ID, Comfortable shoes and water (we will be waiting in the sun), Church dress code: A scarf or jumper to cover your shoulders
- Please be aware that due to the recent re opening of Notre Dame the Cathedral is extremely popular causing wait times to increase. This is completely out of our control.
- Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.
- Not recommended for travellers with limited mobility
- Guests who upgraded to enter to Sainte-Chappelle, please bring: Photo ID, Comfortable shoes and water (we will be waiting in the sun), Church dress code: A scarf or jumper to cover your shoulders
Reviews(1,217)
Our tour guide, Abbie, was extremely knowledgeable! She was very sweet and friendly and provided great information about Notre Dame but also provided a beautiful walking tour in the area.
Wee arrived for the tour at 8.30 and we were able to get in Notre Dame before the crowds arrived. Fabulous!
We could not find the meeting spot. We walk everywhere and even asked a policeman for help. We still could not find the guide. We were not able to take the tour.
This is a walking tour when we learned about the history of Ile de la Cite, the historic building on the island and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Our guide Nina was very knowledgeable and friendly. It a pleasure to tour with her.
Nina was great. Well informed and delivery was amazing. Our tour was above and beyond our expectations . If you are lucky enough to get Nina as your guide, you won’t be disappointed. Mike and Rick Florida
This was a great tour. I wasn’t sure what to expect but Nina, our tour guide, really made it a wonderful experience. She was very knowledgable about the history of Notre Dame and Paris in general. I learned so much about the Cathedral and surrounding area from (more than I’ve learned in the two other times I’ve visited Paris). The Cathedral itself is beautiful and it’s amazing to be able to enter it again. I know Parisians don’t like this but I really enjoyed how much brighter and airier the inside was than before. If you’re visiting Paris, this is a great experience that’s well worth your time. Ask for Nina as a guide because she’s great, kind, and very organized.
Katrina, Thank you so much for your wonderful five-star review and for taking the time to share your experience with future visitors to Paris. We are absolutely delighted to hear that Nina made your visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Île de la Cité such a memorable one. She is an incredibly passionate guide who loves bringing the remarkable history of Paris to life, and your comments about her knowledge, kindness, and organization will mean a great deal to her. We will be sure to share your feedback with her. It is especially rewarding to hear that, despite having visited Paris and Notre-Dame before, you still discovered new stories and gained a deeper appreciation for both the cathedral and its surrounding historic quarter. That is exactly what we strive to achieve on every tour—going beyond simply seeing the sights by helping guests understand the history, people, and events that shaped one of the world's most iconic landmarks. The reopening of Notre-Dame has been a truly historic moment, and we are thrilled that you had the opportunity to experience its beautifully restored interior. The restoration has certainly given visitors a fresh perspective on the cathedral while preserving the extraordinary craftsmanship and spiritual significance that have inspired people for centuries. Thank you once again for your kind recommendation and for choosing LetzGo City Tours. It was our pleasure to welcome you to Paris, and we hope to have the opportunity to show you even more of this incredible city—or another of our destinations—on your next adventure. Safe travels, and thank you again for your wonderful support!
Meeting location with Viator tour guide is very obscure! Rep should be at the Site and not off site!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the meeting arrangements for your tour. Our meeting point has been carefully selected because it provides a safe, easily identifiable location away from the heavy congestion immediately surrounding Notre-Dame Cathedral. It also allows our guides to welcome guests, complete check-in, and begin introducing the fascinating history of the cathedral and the historic Île de la Cité before making the short walk to Notre-Dame. Thousands of guests have successfully joined our tours from this meeting point since the cathedral reopened. Our Ultimate Notre-Dame Cathedral & Île de la Cité Walking Tour includes much more than simply visiting the cathedral. Guests enjoy a comprehensive guided introduction to the history, architecture, and remarkable restoration of Notre-Dame, together with a fully guided walking tour of the beautiful Île de la Cité, where our expert local guides bring to life the stories, people, and landmarks that shaped the birthplace of Paris. We genuinely appreciate your feedback regarding the meeting location and will continue looking for ways to make the joining instructions as clear and straightforward as possible for future guests. Thank you again for your comments, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on another LetzGo City Tours experience in the future.
I hate to leave a negative review but I feel as though I need to warn others about this tour. It does NOT gain you any early entry into the cathedral as we had to wait in the 1 1/2 hour long line. Other tour groups from the same agency around us received detailed history from their guides while they waited, but we did not; our guide provided nothing beyond a brief 10–15 minute introduction during our walk toward the cathedral. Everyone in our group was incredibly confused as to why we had to wait in a massive line after paying $68 USD per ticket for an "early access" experience.
Emily, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are genuinely sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We were particularly disappointed to read your comments because several other guests who were on the very same tour with the same guide took the time to leave 5-star reviews, praising both the guide's knowledge and the overall experience. We fully appreciate, however, that every guest experiences a tour differently, and we are sorry that yours fell short of your expectations. We would like to clarify one important point regarding access to Notre-Dame Cathedral. There is currently no "skip-the-line" or priority security entrance available for any tour operator. Every visitor, regardless of ticket type or tour company, must pass through the cathedral's mandatory security screening before entering. Our Early Access experience is designed to visit the cathedral earlier in the day, before it becomes even busier, but security waiting times remain entirely under the control of Notre-Dame Cathedral and can vary significantly depending on visitor numbers, security requirements, and religious services taking place. We are also sorry to hear that you felt you did not receive the level of commentary you expected while waiting. Our guides are trained to provide a comprehensive introduction to Notre-Dame Cathedral, its remarkable history, architecture, and restoration, together with a fully guided walking tour of the historic Île de la Cité. We will review your comments with our local Operations Team and your guide to better understand what took place on the day. Your experience also included expert local guiding, a detailed introduction to Notre-Dame before your visit, and a guided exploration of the beautiful Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris, where guests discover many of the area's most significant landmarks and stories. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue refining both our tour delivery and the information we provide to guests before arrival. Thank you again for bringing your experience to our attention, and we wish you the very best for the rest of your travels.
It was s good and informative tour. Sania made it a pleasant experience and was always happy to answer any questions. There was a lot of information around the fire in 2019.
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that Sania made it such a pleasant and informative experience. Our guides are passionate about sharing the remarkable history of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and it's always rewarding to know that guests appreciate both their knowledge and their willingness to answer questions throughout the tour. The story of the devastating 2019 fire, the incredible international effort to restore the cathedral, and its triumphant reopening is one of the most remarkable chapters in Notre-Dame's long history. We're pleased to hear that you found this part of the experience particularly interesting, as it helps visitors appreciate not only the cathedral's extraordinary past but also the immense craftsmanship and dedication involved in its restoration. Thank you once again for choosing LetzGo City Tours. We truly appreciate your kind words about Sania and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another of our tours in the future.
I was under the impression that we would get a tour of Notre dame. I was informed at check in that I signed up for the walking your and seeing Notre Dame would be on our own. our guide was personable and informative but not what I was expecting
We're pleased to hear that you found your guide personable and informative, and we appreciate your kind comments about the quality of the guiding. LetzGo City Tours offers several different Notre-Dame experiences, each designed to suit different interests and styles of visiting. The Ultimate Notre-Dame Cathedral & Île de la Cité Walking Tour includes a fully guided walking tour of the historic Île de la Cité together with a comprehensive guided introduction to the history, architecture, restoration, and significance of Notre-Dame Cathedral before guests enter the cathedral independently to explore its magnificent interior at their own pace. For guests looking for a fully guided experience inside the cathedral, we also offer dedicated tours led by certified Paris guides who accompany guests throughout the interior visit. We understand that selecting between the different tour options can sometimes be confusing, and we'll continue reviewing our product descriptions to ensure the distinctions between our experiences are as clear as possible. Thank you again for your feedback. We're delighted that you enjoyed your guide's commentary and hope you still came away with a greater appreciation of the extraordinary history of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the beautiful Île de la Cité.
