Notre-Dame Paris: Interior & Exterior Guided Tour Small Groups

The Rose Window and What Comes After: Notre-Dame's Reopened Interior

You get a 40-minute exterior walk covering the facade, flying buttresses, and Rose Window, then a 30-minute guided visit inside the newly reopened cathedral to see the nave, stained glass, chapels, and relics. Groups are capped at 5 people, and your guide handles the history and architecture so you don't have to piece it together yourself. Dress modestly (shoulders covered, knees covered), or entry will be denied.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided Notre-Dame exterior and interior tour

• Walk around Notre-Dame exterior
• See facade, sculptures, and buttresses
• View the Rose Window
• Enter Notre-Dame interior
• Explore nave and chapels
• Admire stained glass and relics
• Learn about history and restoration

The experience

The flying buttresses hold up the weight. That's the first thing your guide points out on the exterior walk, and once you see them (those stone arms reaching out from the cathedral's sides). You can't unsee them. The 40-minute walk around Notre-Dame's facade takes you past the Western entrance with its sculptured portals, around to where the buttresses do their work, and to the Rose Window itself, which sits like a massive stone lace above the nave. Your guide walks you through the Gothic logic of it all: how the design lets the walls rise higher, how the light gets in, why this building has stood for nearly 900 years and survived what nearly destroyed it.

Then you step inside. The interior reopened not long ago, and the restoration is still visible: new stone where old stone burned, the smell of fresh work still in the air. The 30-minute interior visit moves through the nave, where the height hits you first, then the detail: the stained glass windows (some original, some restored), the chapels along the sides, and the sacred relics kept in the cathedral. Your guide talks about the fire, the restoration effort, what was saved and what had to be rebuilt. It's not a rushed walk-through. It's a real visit with someone who knows the building's story and can answer the questions that come up.

The whole thing takes an hour. Groups stay small, no more than 5 people, which means you're not shuffling behind a flag or straining to hear over a crowd. The dress code is strict: shoulders covered, no sleeveless tops, shorts and skirts at knee-length or longer. The cathedral is an active place of worship, and entry can be refused if staff judge your clothes inappropriate. Check the official Notre-Dame website before you go for the mass schedule, because if a service is happening during your tour, your guide won't be able to provide commentary inside. You'll walk through in silence instead, which is its own kind of experience.

What’s included

Your tour includes a professional guide for the full hour, a 40-minute exterior walk around the cathedral's facade, flying buttresses, and Rose Window, and a 30-minute guided visit inside the newly reopened interior where you'll see the nave, stained glass windows, chapels, and sacred relics. Groups are limited to 5 guests to keep the experience intimate and compliant with cathedral regulations.

Options for this experience

8 options

Arabic Language10:00

Chinese Language14:00

Small group guided tour of the interior and exterior of Notre Dame CathedralUp to 7 people · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 19:00

See 5 more options

Czech Language08:00

Notre Dame SpanishUp to 7 people · 10:00 and 11:00

Italian Language08:30

Notre Dame GermanUp to 7 people · 10:00 and 16:00

VIP Private TourUp to 5 people · Guide in 8 languages · Available from 29 Aug 2027A private tour of the interior and exterior, led by your own exclusive certified tour guide.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day16 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 19:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese and Czech

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by One Journey

Is this one for you?Book this if you're visiting Notre-Dame for the first time and want the main architectural and historical points explained without arranging a guide separately: the small group size and fixed one-hour format mean you get real access to the building and its story without the crowds.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In Arabic, at 10:00. In Chinese, at 14:00. In English, with 14 departure times. In Czech, at 08:00. In Spanish, at 10:00 and 11:00. In Italian, at 08:30. In German, at 10:00 and 16:00. In French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Notre-Dame tour?

One hour total: 40 minutes outside, 30 minutes inside.

What's included in the tour?

Guided exterior walk around the facade, buttresses, and Rose Window, plus a guided visit inside the newly reopened interior to see the nave, stained glass, chapels, and relics. A professional guide is included.

What's the group size?

Maximum 5 guests per group. Larger parties may be split without notice.

Is there a dress code?

Yes. Shoulders must be covered (no sleeveless tops), and shorts or skirts must be knee-length or longer. Entry can be refused if staff judge your clothing inappropriate. No refunds are issued for denied entry.

What if there's a religious service during my tour?

If a mass is scheduled during your visit, your guide cannot provide commentary inside the cathedral. Check the official Notre-Dame website for the mass schedule before booking.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can be brought in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed.

Is entry to Notre-Dame free?

Yes, entry to the cathedral is free. This tour provides guided commentary and interpretation, which is separate from access to the building itself.