Notre-Dame Walking Tour

The symbol of Paris as it was meant to be experienced.

Why choose this tour?

🧠 Rich in history and insight, all within walking distance of the cathedral.

🎨 Educational and visual, using original illustrations and historical imagery.

💬 Engaging storytelling by a knowledgeable and passionate local guide.

🕊️ Smooth transition to a personal visit inside the cathedral, at your own rhythm.

Free cancellation

We value flexibility and offer free cancellation 24 hours before your tour.

Certified guides

Learn more about Paris and get insider travel tips from our top-rated guides.

Tickets included

We take care of tickets for you! Your tour includes admission to the Eiffeil Tower, Notre Dame…

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Based on +3600 reviews on Tripadvisor.

🔎 What to expect on this tour?

🏛️ The full story of Notre-Dame – told on its very stones

Travel back to 1163, when King Louis VII and Bishop Maurice de Sully launched what would become one of the greatest construction projects of the Middle Ages.

Understand the technical and artistic challenges that shaped the cathedral over nearly 200 years.

Learn about Notre-Dame’s ups and downs through the centuries: its neglect and damage during the French Revolution, its salvation thanks to Victor Hugo’s novel, and its later restorations.

Revisit the cathedral’s symbolic role in French history, from royal ceremonies to national commemorations, and relive the events and aftermath of the devastating 2019 fire.

🏰 Architectural decoding with visual aids

Your guide will walk you through the cathedral’s exterior features, including:

  • The majestic western façade and its three sculpted portals.

  • The gargoyles, chimeras, and flying buttresses.

  • The twin towers, the lost spire, and the intricate Gothic artistry.

All brought to life with visual documents such as historical drawings, maps, photographs, and architectural plans.

🧭 A guided walking loop just around Notre-Dame

This tour remains within a compact, intimate zone around the cathedral:

  • The Parvis of Notre-Dame, including remnants of ancient Roman Paris.
  • The legendary Shakespeare & Company bookstore, a haven for writers and artists since the 1950s.
  • The scenic banks of the Seine and their traditional booksellers.
  • The narrow medieval streets of Île de la Cité, steeped in Parisian history.
  • Glimpses of the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie, nearby Gothic treasures.

🖼️ Prepare for your independent visit inside

To conclude the experience, your guide will provide a complete preview of the cathedral’s interior, so you can appreciate it fully once inside:

  • The structure and symbolism of the nave.
  • The sacred relics, including the Crown of Thorns.
  • The stunning rose windows and stained glass.
  • The spiritual function of each part of the space.

You’ll be equipped with everything you need for a self-guided visit, conducted respectfully and with deeper understanding.

Meeting Point

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

📍 Meeting Point: Statue of Charlemagne and his Leudes – Parvis de Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris

🕐 Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, with your voucher (on your phone or printed)

Tours FAQ's

What’s included
  • Guided Visit to Notre Dame’s Exterior
  • All About Notre Dame’s Architecture and Interior Artworks
  • The Best Professional and Knowledgeable Guides

 

What’s not included
  • Lunch
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Guided Tour inside of Notre Dame. This part of the tour is self-guided.
  • Scheduled Entry Ticket
  • Cathedral entrance ticket (admission is free)

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris France

Experience the grandeur of Notre Dame Cathedral, a symbol of resilience and beauty now restored to its former glory. Stand in awe before its majestic facade, learn the stories behind its intricate carvings, and uncover the history of its sacred relics, including the renowned Crown of Thorns. Your guide will bring the cathedral’s rich heritage to life with engaging explanations and fascinating anecdotes. After the exterior tour, your guide will ensure you are fully prepared for the next step of your journey. With all the key details about the interior thoroughly explained, you’ll be equipped to explore the cathedral on your own. Once inside, you’ll have the freedom to admire the soaring architecture, radiant stained glass, and spiritual ambiance at your own pace, creating a deeply personal and memorable experience. Rest assured, the guide’s insights will make your visit truly enriching, even as you take the final steps of discovery independently.

Start: Statue de Charlemagne et ses leudes, 75004 Île de la Cité, France
Meet at the statue of Charlemagne, Place Jean-Paul II, Parvis Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris, France. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your tour. Your guide will be waiting with a purple sign that says “Discover.”
 
End: This activity ends back at the meeting point.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Please contact us by email: contact@odyscovertours.com
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Most travelers can participate
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help.
 
Contact us by email: contact@odyscovertours.com

Odyscover, trusted by +3600 visitors

Founded by a French woman passionate about the history of Paris, eager to share its beauty and secrets with curious travelers.

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