The French capital – Paris is not only known as one of the most romantic destinations with the best boutique hotels in the world but also for its beautiful architecture. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the city is the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Paris.
And in this short article, we’ll take a look at what the Notre-Dame in Paris is, what it’s known for, how you get there, whether you can go inside or not, and whether the entry is free.
Keep on reading to find out more.
This articles talks about:
Can you still visit Notre-Dame de Paris?
Note: After the fire that broke out in the Cathedral on the 15th of April 2019 that destroyed the main sector of the building, the cathedral remains closed under restoration work. The goal is to reopen the Notre Dame Cathedral before 2024, just in time for the Summer Games of the XXXIII Olympiad that will be held in the French Capital.
However, recently the crypt has reopened to the public. Although not officially part of the cathedral, it still is a great attraction to visit! Currently, there is an exhibition featuring the history of Notre Dame.
Read further to discover more about the Cathedral and the treasures it holds!
What Is Notre-Dame de Paris?
Notre-Dame de Paris is a large and the main Catholic Cathedral located in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, on the Île de la Cité, which is an island in the middle of the River Seine.
The cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris, with around 13 million visitors every year.
Why Is Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral So Popular?
La Cathédrale de Notre Dame is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris for a number of reasons.
The first reason is that the cathedral is an excellent example of French Gothic architecture. The second reason is that the cathedral has some very famous gargoyles, which are mythological creatures that were believed to ward off evil spirits.
Another reason behind its popularity is that the cathedral is home to the Notro-Dame Paris, which is a statue of the Virgin Mary that was gifted to the cathedral by King Louis IX in 1248.
Many tourists that stay in a hotel by Paris train station also visit the tourist attraction because it’s very easy to get to.
How Do You Get to Notre-Dame de Paris?
The best way to get to Cathédrale Notre-Dame is by taking the metro. The closest metro station to the cathedral is Cité, which is on line 4. If that’s your prefered way of getting there – booking a boutique hotel in Paris centre would be beneficial.
If you have booked a hotel and spa in Paris centre but prefer a more convenient way to travel, you can always get a taxi and tell the taxi driver to take you right outside the popular Paris destination.
Can You Go Inside the Notre-Dame Cathedral?
Note: as mentioned at the start of the article “Can you still visit the Notre Dame“, the Cathedral is still closed. Once re-opened, find below how to access the Notre Dame>
Yes, you can tour Notre Dame. You can do so either through the main entrance or through the side entrances. The main entrance is located on the west side of the cathedral, while the side entrances are located on the north and south sides.
Is Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral Free?
Yes, entry to Cathédrale Notre Dame is free for everyone. However, there is a small fee if you want to go up to the towers of the cathedral. This fee fluctuates quite often so do reach out directly to the tourist attraction to find out the exact cost. Either way, it’s not very significant.
Visit the Notre-Dame in Paris!
And so if you want to visit the infamous cathedral – book a boutique hotel in Paris center and make your trip to the popular cathedral a convenient and enjoyable experience.