Paris Notre-Dame Interior or Exterior Walking Tour
Description
Explore the heart of Paris on this tour of Île de la Cité, starting at the equestrian statue of Henri IV. We’ll explore the scenic Place Dauphine and admire the medieval grandeur of the Tour de l’Horloge and the Conciergerie, once home to royalty and revolutionaries alike. Your guide will share local culture, from the rich legal history of the Palais de Justice to the bustling Marché aux Fleurs (flower market). See the stunning Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral as your guide points out the interesting details to notice in their Gothic facades.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You’ll start your tour at the iconic equestrian statue of Henri IV, known as the “Good King.” It symbolizes the king’s achievements in bringing stability to France after the Wars of Religion.
This peaceful green oasis sits at the tip of Île de la Cité and offers you scenic views of the Seine River. It’s named after King Henri IV who was known as the “Vert Galant” for his romantic escapades.
Next, you’ll visit this triangular square hidden in the heart of Île de la Cité, one of Paris’s most charming and quiet spots. Built by Henri IV, it was designed to create a peaceful residential area.
You will then pass by the Court of Appeal, an essential part of the French judicial system, where key legal appeals are heard. Here, you’ll be able to admire its impressive façade from the outside.
Your guide will show you this clock tower, one of the oldest in Paris, installed in 1370 to symbolize royal power and justice. It’s a reminder of the medieval importance of timekeeping in city life.
You’ll be able to admire the grand exterior of the Conciergerie, once a royal palace and later a notorious prison during the French Revolution. Its Gothic architecture hints at its dark history. Upgrade your ticket to include a post-tour visit inside this unusual medieval building.
You will also discover the classical exterior of the Palace of Justice, which has been the center of judicial power for centuries, housing the country’s highest courts.
Your guide will take you by the exterior of the Sainte-Chapelle church, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture famous for its stunning stained glass windows.
Before you reach the end of the guided tour, you’ll discover this historic flower market located on Île de la Cité. Named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, it’s a picturesque spot to explore nature in the heart of the city.
Here you can admire the Gothic architecture that has captivated visitors for centuries. You will see its iconic façade, intricate sculptures, and towering spires. (Entry not included.)
Your walking tour ends outside the Archeological Crypt.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is a guided walking tour of the area around and outside of the Notre Dame Cathedral. You are welcome to enter the cathedral on your own before or after the tour.
Reviews(2,298)
Guide was very good. Was not notified that the skip the queue was not available which was paid for. Very poor communication from the tour company. When we arrived the queue was huge. Did not wait as the temperature was horrible and the wait time was at least a hour and a half. Very poor
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the guide. We’d like to clarify that this experience is an exterior walking tour of Notre-Dame, and entry to the cathedral is not included, as admission is free for visitors. We’re sorry for any confusion regarding the experience and appreciate your feedback.
Matt was a very enthusiastic, passionate, friendly and knowledgeable local. He knew the area and Paris extensively and made the tour very enjoyable. He went out of his way to please including showing me where an amazing fromage shop was. Thanks Matt!
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad Matt made the tour such an enjoyable experience and went the extra mile to help along the way. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him! 😊
Our tour guide Sagar was great! So informative and knowledgeable. Told us several things I had no idea about both about Paris and Notre Dame. Great exercise and great experience. Very recommended.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We are thrilled to hear that Sagar provided such an informative and memorable experience at Notre Dame. We hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Great exterior background tour!
Thank you for the five stars! We are so happy you had a great time on the exterior background tour of Notre-Dame.
Matt is a fantastic guide. Even though he’s not French, he knows both ancient and modern history extremely well. He’s knowledgeable about architecture, medieval history, literature, and current events. He uses helpful audiovisual guides, makes jokes, and his tone of voice keeps the audience fully engaged throughout the tour.
Thank you for such a thoughtful review! We're delighted that Matt's wide-ranging knowledge, from architecture and medieval history to literature and modern Paris, made the tour so engaging. It's great to hear that his humor, audiovisual materials, and storytelling kept everyone interested throughout the experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him! 😊
Good experience in good weather. Not sure it would be great if raining!
Thank you for joining us! We're so glad you had a great experience and got to enjoy the tour in beautiful weather. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Matt was awesome! He was very knowledgeable, friendly and passionate.
Thanks for the awesome review! Matt will be thrilled to hear his knowledge, friendly vibe, and passion made your tour such a great experience. We hope to see you on another adventure soon
Deceptive listing. Despite the cost it does not include access inside the building. This was made clear only after I paid, so I immediately asked for a refund and was refused.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. We understand how disappointing it can be when an experience differs from what you were hoping for. Our goal is always to provide clear and accurate information, and the tour description is intended to outline exactly what is included, including whether the experience includes access inside Notre-Dame or is an exterior walking tour. We regret that the tour was not what you expected and that we were unable to accommodate your refund request, as the booking was based on the experience described in the listing. We sincerely appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving how we communicate our tour details. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we wish you all the best on your future travels.
Lucille was excellent and very knowledgeable about the area. She had lots of fun facts and the crypt was also worthwhile
Dear Toby, Thank you for your excellent feedback! We're thrilled that Lucille's extensive knowledge and fun facts added to your experience exploring the Notre-Dame area. It's also wonderful to hear you found the crypt worthwhile. We hope to guide you on another fantastic Parisian tour soon!
My family and I booked a walking tour of Ille de la Cite and Notre Dame with Sophie this weekend. Sophie took her time explaining the history and the background of each street and building. I learned so much on this tour and it has really inspired me to read some of the books that was inspired by Paris. I highly recommend this tour to get the most of your time while exploring Paris. She also gave me a list of foodie recommendations which has been super helpful!
Thank you for sharing this! We’re really happy to hear that Sophie helped bring the history of Paris to life for you and even inspired you to dive into more Paris-related books.
