Notre Dame Cathedral Guided Tour with Flexible Options
Badge of Excellence
Paris, France
+19
- 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover one of the most important landmarks in Paris from both inside and out–and take the guesswork out of sightseeing–on this tour of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. Explore the outside to uncover the history of the building, discover its architectural highlights, and learn about its restoration from your guide. Inside, continue independently at your own pace and appreciate the sights more deeply thanks to your new knowledge.
- Opt for a group, small-group, or private tour of the exterior
- Guarantee your access to this top city attraction in advance
- Go beyond simple sightseeing with insights and stories from your guide
- Step inside and explore the monument without any time pressure
What's Included
- Expert English speaking Tour Guide
- Exterior Guided Tour with exterior Option With independent Interior Visit
- Semi Private Option: Maximum 12 guests tour for a more intimate experience
- Private tour option: One group only tour
- Transportation
- Food and Drinks
- Skip the line access
- Access to Cathedral Towers
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Statue de Charlemagne et ses leudes75004 Île de la Cité, France
Meet us in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in front of statue of Charlemagne on horseback (Green Statue). Our guide will be holding a black sign saying 'Bonjour'. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of your tour.
End point
- Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Itinerary
1
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Shoulders must be covered; shorts and skirts must be knee-length to enter the cathedral.
- Religious services: During Mass, guiding inside the cathedral is not permitted. Please consult the official Notre-Dame schedule, as services may impact your visit.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Late arrivals risk missing the experience entirely.
- Exceptional closures: Notre-Dame Cathedral may close without prior notice. Please check the official website in advance. If the interior is unavailable, an extended exterior guided tour (approximately 1 hour) will be provided instead.
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 1,056 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
YuChang_H, Jul 2026
Our tour guide is very knowledgeable and friendly, the medium review of this experience is purely the confusion caused by the activity title. THIS IS AN OUTSIDE ONLY TOUR, where “free entry” mentioned in the title is to tell you that queue is available for you to join and wait for entrance.
Mark_B, Jul 2026
This small group tour led by Tetiana was a highlight. Her knowledge and passion for Notre Dame and Paris came across in her presentation. She did an excellent job and answered all of our questions.
Anil_S, Jul 2026
Watch your reservation you get double ressevations I was given two reservations missing both of them
Sacha_S, Jul 2026
Had a fabulous experience- Rita was so knowledgeable and easy to listen to. Loved all the information and history. The group was small and intimate.
Carol_M, Jul 2026
It should be made clear that this is entirely outside and does not offer a shorter line into the cathedral. The information was excellent but we expected a wait free entrance. It was a hot midday we listened for an hour outside and stood another hour or more in line.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you found the information excellent.
However, skip the line is clearly mentioned in the exclusions.
As for the weather, midday heat is something all visitors should consider when planning their visit. For guests looking for cooler temperatures and significantly less crowd, we specifically recommend our morning departure, which offers a much more comfortable experience.
Saundra_D, Jul 2026
Left tour because it didn’t include skip the line entry. Was aware it didn’t include entry because entry is free but assumed it was skip the line. Very disappointed and a waste of money
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
Skip-the-line entry was never included and is clearly listed in the exclusions. We encourage all guests to read the tour details before booking rather than assume features that are not advertised.
If avoiding queues was your priority, we also recommend our morning departures when wait times are typically zero. Leaving the tour because of an incorrect assumption does not make the experience misleading.
Patrick_L, Jul 2026
THIS DID NOT INCLUDE THE LINE BU PASS AND THE TOUR GUIDE DOES NOT GO INSIDE WITH YOU. It is very disappointing that the guide just show picture of the Notre Dame and talk about it from the picture. She did not go include with us. It is a waste of money if you want an actual guide to go inside with you and show you around. I would not recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
Your review criticizes features that were never included. Skip-the-line entry is clearly listed in the exclusions, and the tour description also states that the guide does not accompany guests inside the cathedral.
We encourage guests to read the listing carefully before purchasing.
Martin_T, Jul 2026
Tour guide was very good gave lot of information.
The time did get a little long as it was warm.
Very good guide.
dan_m, Jul 2026
Very informative. Rita was funny and engaging. She very clearly told the story of the building’s development and architecture.
The slideshow - on her notebook - with lots of photos really added to the experience. Please note that the time allowed inside the cathedral is about 30 to 40 minutes.
There is a good bit of walking down steps, and over very uneven pavement. Really enjoyed it overall!
Peggy_Z, Jul 2026
Does not include a timed entry, so you might not be able to tour the inside of the church and make it back to the meeting point for the lecture. Talk was great and Leo was very knowledgeable and accommodating of our late arrival to the lecture since the entry line was so long.
Mitul_S, Jul 2026
Sagar was very funny and knew many details about the cathedral. Highly recommend. Would do an early morning tour
Tim_B, Jul 2026
It’s only an outside tour of the cathedral. The booking makes you believe you can get access inside. Skip the line. But if you want to see inside you have to wait in line. After the tour
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review is based on expectations that were never included in the booking. Skip-the-line access is explicitly listed under the exclusions, and entry queues are managed entirely by Notre-Dame, not tour operators. Afternoon queues can be long during peak season, which is exactly why we recommend our morning departures for a far more comfortable, low-crowd experience.
Barbara_S, Jul 2026
For our family, I booked a tour that was titled Notre Dame Cathedral guided tour with free entry. What that says to me is that you get to go inside. Well guess what they don’t take you inside it’s only an exterior tour. I asked the guide and about the free entry and by the way, the cathedral is free, but you have to book a time to get in. by the time we figured out that there was no inside tour. The line was probably 45 minutes long. very very misleading!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
This review is inaccurate and is a result of not reading even a single line of the option chosen.
For clarification, this is the option you booked word for word:
Option 1: Guided Exterior Tour with Independent Interior Visit
Participate in a guided tour of the exterior with our expert guide, followed by independent access to the cathedral’s interior.
The tour operated exactly as described. We recommend reading at least the option you're buying before booking instead of falsely claiming things that were never advertised.
Virginia_K, Jul 2026
It's light, very informative and has uptodate information .we were free inside for 30 mins and tour held outside fascinating.
Terry_K, Jul 2026
We went into Notre Dame first to view the interior and then the guide took us through the detail outside for about an hr.
Nicole_R, Jul 2026
We had an excellent experience and tour at notre dame cathedral. Our guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable. It wasn’t too long and very interesting. Woukd definitely use Viator again to book our tours when we travel.
Alonso_R, Jul 2026
(Bonjour ) name of the tour company, didn’t have enough tickets for all of the people that were in the tour to go inside the Notre Dame Cathedral, she gave 8 tickets for 12 people and she instructs everyone to get together at the gate and said to the entrance staff that we all were in the same group , at the entrance our son almost wasn’t able to get in with us. We had to sneak in when we weren’t supposed to do that because we did pay for inside and outside tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
This review is based on a misunderstanding of the product booked. The tour you selected was clearly described as an exterior guided tour with an independent interior visit. Our listings clearly explain the inclusions and exclusions before booking. We recommend checking the tour details before booking.
Steve_T, Jul 2026
Perkins was a wonderful guide, full of knowledge and humor. We learned about ancient history to present day.
Tom_S, Jul 2026
Meeting point was confusing. Where the guides stood was at a different location on the plaza but we spotted their blue flag and connected. Maura was our guide and was friendly and knowledgeable. Used a separate entrance than the general public. Museum was very crowded but he kept our tour together. Mona lisa was last stop on the tour and guide released us to the entry to see it. There wasn’t an organized line to see it, just a mob crushing in to get to see it. Not viators fault, but was a mess.
Andy_P, Jul 2026
The tour is for the outside the Cathedral only but very interesting history and well worth it. No skip the line but the entry line moves very quickly.
Jenny_S, Jul 2026
We thought we would have been able to go inside Notre Dame …the info given by guide was interesting but could have read that on internet ! When got back to hotel and checked info it said that there was free entry included but we weren’t told that on day .
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review is based on incorrect assumptions rather than the experience provided.
Free public entry to Notre-Dame is clearly stated in our listing and is public information that takes only moments to verify. Our tour provides the history and architecture through a live guide—not admission to a cathedral that is already free to enter.
We encourage guests to read the tour description before booking to avoid misunderstandings.
Frankie_N, Jul 2026
The tour guide Denise was very knowledgeable about the history of Notre Dame. She toured us around the outside of the building and pointed out some of the statues and features around the building and what they represented. Then she walked us around to the side of the building which she thought was most impressive and I have to agree. It was beautiful. I was walking there with a cane and she was very conscious of me finding a spot to sit and rest and I appreciated that. Also when the tour was finished she walked me to some of the guards who let me bypass the line since I had trouble standing for periods of time. She was not only knowledgeable but interacted with the group and took as many questions as we had. Please note, as many of us there for the tour were confused, this tour is outside Notre Dame and then you go to a line to tour the inside which is free. Many of us thought this tour included walking through the inside and having Denise explain things. But upon entering I noticed it was very quiet inside and I understood that that was not an option as people were praying inside in lighting candles for their loved ones. But all in all I recommend this tour and then take the time to walk through the church. It is well worth it.
Anusuya_P, Jul 2026
This tour does not provide reservation to go inside the Cathedral. The guide meets us outside and explains for 15mins or so. Then we are on our own. So be mindful of what you are signing up for. Way too expensive and deceptive for just the guide explaining.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
The information in your review is incorrect. The option you booked is clearly described as a Guided Exterior Tour with an Independent Interior Visit. It does not include a guided tour inside the cathedral skip the line.
The guided presentation lasts approximately one hour and ten minutes, not 15 minutes as stated.
We encourage guests to read the tour description carefully before booking to choose the option best suited for their preference.
michael_r, Jul 2026
Was given a lot of information that i had no idea. Good narration of Notre Dame and the surrounding area.
Karla_B, Jul 2026
Definitely not worth the money we paid. All you get is a guide talk for 1 hr and then you have to join the very long queue to get inside.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
If you were not interested in a live guide's insight into Notre-Dame's history, architecture, and symbolism, then this simply wasn't the right tour for you. The product is clearly advertised as a guided exterior tour with an independent interior visit—not as a skip-the-line or guided interior experience.
If avoiding queues was your priority, we also offer morning departures specifically because they provide a much less crowded experience and typically little to no waiting to enter the cathedral.
Todd_J, Jul 2026
Great experience
Very easy to find our tour
The girl that lead our tour was very knowledgeable and personable
Highly recommend
Winnie_A, Jul 2026
Exactly what we needed, a ticket to walk around at our own pace inside of the Notre Dame and some history of it with our guide. Informative and to the point.
vcecena, Jul 2026
I picked this tour because my mom can't stand for long and can't handle line. When we met ou guide they were like get in the line and we will meet with you after. So why spend the $$ for a free place? Just to charge you extra $$. I mentioned she needed to not wait in line and they were like its 20 min. So don't waste yr time with rude people who don't care about the elderly and no we didn't go see her after because what is the point.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review does not accurately reflect what happened.
First, our tour does not include skip-the-line access. This is clearly stated in the exclusions section of the listing before booking. The tour also states that it is not wheelchair accessible, allowing guests to decide whether it is suitable for their needs.
Second, there was barely a 5 minute wait that morning, so neither you nor your mother had to wait long to enter the cathedral. Our guides invited you to enjoy the interior visit first and then rejoin the group for the guided presentation. They delayed the tour and waited an additional ten minutes for you, but you chose not to return. Instead, you immediately requested a refund.
Choosing not to participate in the tour after booking does not make the experience misleading. We encourage future guests to read the tour description, inclusions, and exclusions carefully before booking to ensure the experience matches their expectations.
Cindy_M, Jul 2026
Leo was a fabulous guide. Easy to understand and very knowledgeable 😊 Loved his topic and was engaging to all ages 😊
Stephen_M, Jul 2026
Sugar was our tour guide and was excellent...very knowledgeable and presented the information clearly and understandably. He intermingled history and humor and made it very interesting.
Initially the group was told to get into the line and go through Notre-Dame by ourselves. Somewhat confusing at first but afterward realized that was the best way to go. It's busy, crowded, moving quickly. We regrouped outside with the group again and then Sugar started explaining so many much of the history, the outside carvings and features of the whole structure. We've been inside before but never had such a clear explanation of the exterior. Absolutely fascinating.
We then adjourned to a small park across the street where he explained more about the fire, the reconstruction etc. Filled in a lot about the whole process.
We would highly recommend this tour and bravo to Sugar for an incredible tour!
From $33.84
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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