Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame
Description
The tour is a product of a very long and detailed research, conducted by a PhD scholar, that was done for the purposes of mobile app Notre Dame Fiat Lux. This research will also be published in the form of a book. Therefore, our guides who partook in this research (most of them) or have prepared the tour from it, are arguably and very likely the foremost experts on Notre Dame in Paris, France, and indeed the world. The tour is a comprehensive view on the cathedral and its many different aspects. We offer a rare synthesis of research, over ten years of guiding experience, and most importantly, honest, deep and ever expanding love for this jewel of Gothic architecture. We feel that Notre Dame is the very pinnacle of Western civilization, and we are eager to explain why that is so. Come share our passion and ever growing interest for this unique monument.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The underground of the cathedral and its importance not only for Notre Dame, but for history of Paris and France as well. We discuss the crypt without entering it, as it is a separate visit in its own right.
The historic, cultural, symbolical and overall relevance of this often overlooked yet immensely important site.
History of how France came to be and the significant role Notre Dame Cathedral had in it.
A detailed description of the Western Portal of the cathedral and the meaning of its statues and reliefs. The detailed explanation of their history and relevance. In this case in particular, art is never just ornamental, but deeply symbolical and instrumental.
The view of the cathedral from the side, as a chance to discuss its architecture, windows, gargoyles, and how it comes together both symbolically and functionally.
A view of the cathedral from the back, and the detailed account of the immense and breathtaking complexity of Gothic architecture.
An overview of the entire cathedral and the story of its beauty, connected to dogma, creation of Marian Catholicism, French identity and politics.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Private transport is possible - we offer a hotel (or apartment, airbnb, etc.) pick up with a Mercedes V class vehicle. If you would like us to include pick up, it is imperative you communicate it via phone number you find on your reservation slip. Texts are welcome, so are WhatsApp messages.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- 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.
- cathedral is not accessible on the inside and visit stays on the outside.
Reviews(46)
Boris's tour of Notre-Dame Cathedral exceeded our expectations. He is insightful, knowledgeable, and engaging, offering a unique blend of historical, mythical, and religious perspectives that brought the cathedrals story to life. The tour was both educational and enjoyable, leaving us inspired and eager to learn even more. Thank you, Boris for such a memorable experience. Roseanne, and Jim.
Boris tailored the tour of Notre Dame to our interests, including those of our 10 year-old grandson. I highly recommend him. I now understand the structure and its great significance, history and meaning. He makes me want to learn more!!
This tour was a major disappointment. There were many reasons why I say this, however I will start with the tour guide. Firstly, the tour guide seemed to know very little about about the Notre Dame Cathedral (I guess fake it til you make it!). We were escorted through the church as if it was a self led tour. There was minimal commentary by the tour guide and little enthusiasm and engagement throughtout. Now I would like to highlight the astronomical cost of this tour for the experience provided. This was a 90 minute walking tour for around 900 USD for 3 people. This amount gives me pause, as admission to the cathedral is complimentary. Where is the value? Is this a mistake on behalf on Viator? Perhaps. We have used manu Viator tours in the past and were pleased. However, going forward we may never use Viator again after this disappointing experience.
Eluzabeth is informative, fun and has a great breadth of knowledge. She made our experience so much more enjoyable and rewarding than doing it on our own.
Elizabeth is a wonderful tour guide. She provided us with all of the religious, historical and architectural information, as well as interesting personal insights. Elizabeth was a joy to spend our family tour with.
Our experience was incredible . . . Our guide was extraordinarily knowledgeable and immensely personable . . . We wanted to be best friends . . .
I have been on many tours throughout the years and this by far was the best tour I have taken. Pictures I have seen and TV specials do not do Notre Dame justice. It is beautiful both inside and out and is a must see when visiting Paris. The tour guide was excellent. She not only gave the history of Notre Dame both in the making of Notre Dame and the recent fire /restoration, she gave details on the beginnings of the city of Paris and the Catholic Church during that time period. She had past pictures of Notre Dame, of the church after the fire and she was able to present this while explaining the restoration process and why it was so important. It is also recommended that you take this tour with a private group. When going inside Notre Dame they might be having mass because it is an active church, so the tour guide is able to take you through and whisper to you all of the intricacies of the inside of Notre Dame and every piece of artwork and special spots to visit inside. The tour was an hour and a half and time quickly flew by. Without a tour guide, you would not realize all of the history and stories of the making of Notre Dame. Again, this is an absolute must see when you visit Paris.
Lily was amazing, knowledgeable, congenial, so well informed. We so wanted a tour of the Cathedral since the fire and she delivered. No question was left unanswered.
Not very good, your guide very dry and not very friendly. We were about 1 and 1/2 hours, but Stan not very good.
It was a fantastic tour with a fantastic tour guide! The new, clean Notre Dame was beautiful with light shining through the stained glass windows. Our tour guide was a great teacher with a background in medical history. We can not recommend her more!! She was able to answer all of my daughters and my own historical and silly questions with ease. Thank you so much and please contact us if you see this we would love to tip you as well!