Notre Dame Cathedral Guided Tour with Flexible Options
Badge of Excellence
Paris, France
- 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
4.6
based on 982 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
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.
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!
Charles_S, Jul 2026
Information session was fine. But then guide just stopped and pointed vaguely to the line. We were under the impression that this included some expedited entry to the cathedral.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback. However, we would like to clarify that skip the line is in the exclusions. For guests looking for a low crowd comfortable experience, we recommend our morning departures.
Amy_W, Jul 2026
Does not take you inside the cathedral. You spend the time outside and while our tour guide was informative, it’s not worth the money on a hot day
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review is based on not reading the option you booked.
You selected "Option 1: Guided Exterior Tour with Independent Interior Visit," which states, word for word: "Participate in a guided tour of the exterior with our expert guide, followed by independent access to the cathedral's interior." There is nothing misleading about that description.
Complaining that the tour takes place outside after booking an exterior tour is simply not a reflection of what was advertised. Likewise, the weather is beyond our control. If avoiding the heat and crowds was important, our earlier morning departure is specifically designed for that purpose.
We encourage all guests to read the tour option they select before booking so they choose the experience that best matches their expectations.
Lorraine_V, Jul 2026
Be prepared that there is no guided tour inside the cathedral and you go into the line that says no reservations. Getting in the cathedral early is essential. The lines grow quickly. But note that the cathedral store does not open until 9:30 when we had to meet our guide outside. Our guide. Perkins was very knowledgeable.
Eugene_L, Jul 2026
Our guide was great giving us insight and history about Notre dame. She also ensured we bypassed the long lines even when other guided groups were stuck in line. Much praise to her! Once inside was amazing and great chance to take unbelievable pics. Definitely pay the price it’s worth it just to avoid waits.
Subhadra_S, Jul 2026
Absolutely awful.
Guide did not show up.
We are waiting on heat wave in Paris. Messaged him and called.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
This review is simply not accurate.
Check-in for this tour begins at 12:45 PM, and the tour starts promptly at 1:00 PM. Our guides remained at the meeting point until 1:02 PM, meaning we waited a total of 17 minutes for late arrivals.
Our records show that you first contacted us at 1:07 PM, which was already well after the tour had departed. Every other guest on the tour arrived on time, and we have all participant vouchers confirming their attendance.
We understand that delays can happen, but it is not fair to claim that the guide did not show up when multiple guides were present at the designated meeting point during the scheduled check-in and departure times. We kindly ask that guests arrive within the stated check-in window, as it is not possible to delay the tour for late arrivals.
Janna_P, Jul 2026
Outside only. Waste of money. You can read it online for free. There is no need for this exterior only tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
This review reflects your personal opinion, not a failure of the tour.
The option you booked is clearly advertised as an exterior guided tour of Notre-Dame. The title, description, itinerary, and inclusions all make this explicit. At no point do we claim to provide admission tickets or skip the line.
Hundreds of guests book this tour specifically for the expertise of a local guide, engaging storytelling, and the opportunity to ask questions in real time. If your preference is to read information online, that is entirely your choice—but that does not make a professionally guided tour a "waste of money".
We recommend reading the listing before booking.
Susan_H, Jul 2026
You stand in line to see the church then have to rush through it to meet the guide . Better to have guide first so you know what you are looking at inside. We booked a tour for 9 but had to leave early for our st chapelle tour. Was told tour was only 60 iinjtes but a lot longer because we had to stand in line for the church
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review overlooks several details that were clearly communicated before and during the tour. The 9:00 AM experience is specifically designed to allow guests to enter Notre-Dame before the larger crowds arrive, which is why the interior visit comes first. This provides a far more comfortable experience than waiting in significantly longer queues later in the day.
As with any free public attraction, entry is managed entirely by the cathedral, and queue times are beyond our control. The tour duration includes this independent interior visit, as stated in the product description. If you had another booking scheduled too closely afterward, that was unfortunately a matter of personal planning rather than a failure of the tour.
Thousands of guests appreciate this format precisely because it minimizes crowds while allowing them to enjoy both the cathedral and the guided historical presentation outside.
Victor_B, Jul 2026
That you are on your own for the inside of the Notre Dame. The guide told us we had 30 minutes to explore the inside of the Notre Dame and meet back within 40 minutes. This did not take into consideration that the line to enter took a bit of time. In fact, the guy who we initially met told me that after 30 minutes they would kick us out.. This was not the case and misrepresentation of the time we would've liked to spend inside. Instead of enjoying the experience we felt extremely rushed.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review misrepresents what happened. Notre-Dame is a functioning cathedral with free public entry, and neither we nor anyone else controls the admission queue or how long visitors choose to remain inside.
Our guide clearly explained the meeting time so the rest of the group would not be kept waiting. You were never "kicked out" after 30 minutes, and we made no such claim. If you preferred to spend longer inside, you were free to do so, but you would simply have missed the remainder of the scheduled guided experience.
The meeting time exists to keep the tour running for all guests, not to limit anyone's visit to the cathedral.
Laxmi_S, Jul 2026
We saw the outside of the Notre Dame and Lovette gave us a nice history lesson about the Notre Dame. She walked us around and described the different carvings and sculptures. It was an extremely hot day but she did her best to keep us out of the sun.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted you enjoyed Lovette's storytelling and historical insights into Notre-Dame's remarkable architecture and sculptures. The heat was certainly challenging that day, and we're glad her efforts to keep the group as comfortable as possible were appreciated. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring the rest of Paris and would love to welcome you again on another tour.
Juliette_O, Jul 2026
This tour is for the Outside of Notre Dame Cathedral.
You will need to go to the end of an exceedingly long line following the quality commentary.
Elizabeth is knowledgeable and lovely.
Natalie_A, Jul 2026
Guide had us go through long line in sun of people without tickets instead of going through the group entrance. No guide info of anything inside.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review criticizes the tour for not providing services that were never included. At no point do we advertise skip-the-line access or a separate entrance. In fact, skip-the-line access is explicitly listed under the exclusions in the product description.
The description also clearly states that the interior visit is self-guided. Unless a guest books our separate licensed interior tour, no guide accompanies visitors inside the cathedral.
We encourage guests to read the inclusions and exclusions before booking so their expectations match the experience they have purchased.
Russell_K, Jul 2026
Perkins our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly. Get there early in morning the line to enter can get long. However it moves quickly.
Debora_S, Jul 2026
Leo was our guide. He did an excellent job, was very engaging and added a little humor to his presentation.
DeeAnne_E, Jul 2026
The tour is good and the guide was great. Pay attention if you want an inside tour because it doesn’t skip the line.
Jennifer_C, Jul 2026
Our guide was friendly and very
Knowledgeable. We enjoyed this tour and learned a lot. We did the 9am tour which was good because it was less busy. Definitely recommend this tour!
Rosa_E, Jul 2026
The way you promote this visit to Notre Dame Paris is not correct. The whole group thought we wiould go inside the Cathedral but it was only outside. You should write ( not inside the cathedral, only outside). I knew the history so I decided not to follow the guide. It was 37 C. . My grandson and me were frustrated. You should reembolse my money.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Your review is based on an expectation that was never included in the tour you booked. The description clearly states that this is a guided exterior tour and that the cathedral interior is visited independently via the free public entrance. We cannot be responsible for guests who choose not to read the tour description before booking. Also the 'group' followed our guide until the end of the tour. Entry to the cathedral is free and this is also mentioned in our listing so a minute of reading would have saved you this misunderstanding. Thank you.
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