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The restored nave of Notre-Dame de Paris looking towards the west portal, 2024

No. 15 Top Landmarks & Attractions 2026

Notre-Dame de Paris

Paris, France · City guide: Paris

The Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, restored and reopened after the 2019 fire.

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Photo: Ibex73, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Notre-Dame de Paris is No. 15 in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026 ranking of the top attractions in the world. Work on the cathedral began in 1163, and most of it was finished by the mid-14th century. It is one of the most celebrated Gothic buildings in the world, and the riverbanks around it are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fire destroyed the roof and spire on 15 April 2019. After five years of restoration, the cathedral reopened on 7 December 2024, with its spire rebuilt to Viollet-le-Duc's 19th-century design and its limestone interior cleaned to a pale glow. The towers reopened to visitors in September 2025.

The restored chancel of Notre-Dame de Paris, 2024
The restored chancel of Notre-Dame de Paris, 2024. Photo: Ibex73, CC BY 4.0, source

Best time to visit

The cathedral is busiest in the middle of the day. Go early or later in the afternoon, and avoid service times if you want to walk around freely. The towers are open late in summer.

Highlights

  • 1

    The west façade

    Three carved portals, including the Portal of the Last Judgment, the Gallery of Kings and the twin towers make up one of the best-known façades in Europe.

  • 2

    The rose windows

    The north, south and west rose windows contain 13th-century stained glass.

  • 3

    The restored nave

    The interior is brighter than it has been for generations. It now has new liturgical furniture, including the altar.

  • 4

    The towers

    A separately ticketed climb of more than 400 steps passes the great bells and the chimeras to a view over Paris and the new spire.

  • 5

    Square and archaeological crypt

    Point Zéro, from which road distances in France are measured, is set in the forecourt. The archaeological crypt beneath it shows remains of the ancient city.

Getting there

Notre-Dame is on the Île de la Cité. The nearest stations are Cité (Métro line 4) and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (RER B and C).

Practical tips

Entry & hours
Entry to the cathedral is free. You can reserve a free time slot on the official website or app to shorten the wait. The towers need a paid ticket booked online in advance from the Centre des monuments nationaux. Check both websites for hours, as there can be temporary closures for services and special events.
Etiquette
Notre-Dame is a working cathedral: dress respectfully, keep your voice down and follow instructions during services.
Safety
Watch for pickpockets in the crowds around the cathedral. The EU-wide emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
France is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.

Official information: Notre-Dame de Paris (official cathedral website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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