Notre Dame Cathedral Small-Group Guided Tour with Standard Entry

Step inside Notre Dame Cathedral with an expert guide and discover its storied past on this small-group tour.

Getting started

Meet your English-speaking guide near the main entrance of Notre Dame Cathedral. After a quick ticket check, your guide will introduce the group and outline the tour’s highlights before you begin exploring.

What to expect

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral stands as a symbol of Parisian heritage, renowned for its Gothic architecture and centuries of history. Your guide will share insights into the cathedral’s cultural and religious significance as you explore its interior.

Features

• Immersive storytelling: Dive into Notre-Dame’s past through vivid storytelling, as your expert guide weaves together legends, historical events, and cultural insights.

• In-depth exploration: Walk through both the exterior and interior of the cathedral, gaining layered context at every stop instead of a surface-level visit.

• Personalized experience: With just 7 guests per group, enjoy space to ask questions, engage with your guide, and move at a comfortable, unhurried pace.

Notre Dame Cathedral Small-Group Guided Tour with Standard Entry

Discover the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral on this 1-1.5 hour small-group guided tour that includes a licensed English-speaking guide, groups capped at just 7 guests, and standard entry access to both exterior and interior areas. The tour covers approximately 20,000 square feet of cathedral space, exploring its intricate stone carvings, soaring vaults, breathtaking stained glass windows, and beautifully restored interiors. Highlights include the iconic flying buttresses, which were added in the late 13th century to support the nave walls; the magnificent Rose Window, dating back to the early 13th century with a diameter of nearly 28 feet; and the intricate sculptures around the Portail Royal entrance, constructed between 1160 and 1175. The tour also offers a unique perspective on lesser-known areas such as the treasury room and the sacristy, providing visitors with an in-depth understanding of the cathedral's historical significance. With this small-group format, you will have ample opportunity to ask questions, receive personalized attention from your guide, and enjoy a slower pace that allows for deeper reflection and appreciation of Notre-Dame Cathedral’s architectural marvels.

Explore Notre Dame Cathedral

Your tour stops at the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral where guests can admire its intricate Gothic architecture built between 1163 and around 1345. Covering an area of approximately 20,000 square feet with a height reaching up to 157 meters, this UNESCO World Heritage site features stunning stained glass windows such as the Rose Window from 1225 and the North and South rose windows dating back to 1260. Visitors spend about an hour inside exploring these marvels, learning about historical events like the cathedral’s role in the French Revolution when it was desecrated by revolutionaries between 1789 and 1793. Notre-Dame Cathedral stands out as a cultural and spiritual icon due to its rich history and architectural significance, making it an essential stop for anyone interested in medieval architecture and European history.

Notre Dame’s Flying Buttresses

Your tour takes you past the iconic flying buttresses of Notre-Dame Cathedral where guests can appreciate their engineering brilliance. Added between 1280 and 1290 to support the nave walls, these external arches are a defining feature of Gothic architecture, measuring up to 45 meters in height. Visitors spend around 30 minutes here learning about how they were constructed and their role in stabilizing the building's structure. The flying buttresses at Notre-Dame are unique because they allowed architects to build taller walls with larger windows, transforming the cathedral’s appearance and interior lighting. This architectural innovation has had a profound impact on subsequent Gothic structures worldwide.

Tour Highlights

• Explore both exterior and interior of 12th-century masterpiece
• Enjoy expert storytelling in English
• Admire breathtaking stained glass windows
• Discover restored interiors and treasury room
• Learn about historical events at Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Reflect on cultural significance during tour stops
• Appreciate Gothic architecture with small group

Perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and spiritual pilgrims, this guided tour provides a comprehensive understanding of Paris's most iconic landmark. The 1-1.5 hour format allows you to explore Notre-Dame Cathedral’s intricate stone carvings, soaring vaults, and beautifully restored interiors while enjoying the company of knowledgeable guides who bring history to life through engaging storytelling. This tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Parisian heritage and architectural splendor.