Notre Dame Cathedral facts

Notre Dame Cathedral facts: Best time to visit

Notre Dame is open every day from 8am to 6.45pm (7.15pm on Saturdays and Sundays). The best time for a visit is early in the morning, Tuesday to Friday.

Access to the cathedral is open and free of charge every day of the year, during the opening hours.

Notre Dame is not just one of the greatest Paris monuments. It is above all a catholic church, a place of christian worship and fervor. Behave accordingly.

Notre Dame cathedral facts: visit Towers

The twin towers culminate at 69 meters (387 steps). The south tower houses 13 tons Emmanuel bell.

The towers can be visited - April 1st to September 30th, 10am to 6.30pm (June to August, on Saturday, Sunday, 10am to 11pm) - October 1st to March 31st, 10am to 5.30pm. Last access is 45 mn before closure. Closed on January 1st, in May 1st, December 25th.

Entrance from street on left-hand side of the facade.

Notre Dame Cathedral facts: service times

Masses can be attended

* on weekdays, at 8am, 9am, 12am, 6.15pm

* on Saturdays, at 6.30pm

* on Sundays, at 8.30am, 10am (sung), 11.30am, 12.45am, 6.30pm (Bishop of Paris).

See official mass schedule.

Notre Dame Cathedral facts: the monument

Notre Dame is located on Ile de la Cite, the Paris island that concentrated the power attributes of France between the 4th and the 14th century.

Notre Dame is 130 meters long, 48 meters wide, 35 meters high. Its pillars have a diameter of 5 meters. The rose windows have a diameter of 10 meters.

Locate Notre Dame on Paris map. Visit Notre Dame crypt. Notre Dame detailed practical information.

Paris metro: Cite station on line 4. Saint Michel station on RER B and C lines.

Notre Dame Cathedral facts: history

Notre Dame is Paris Catholic Cathedral since the Middle Ages. Maurice de Sully, the Paris Bishop, started its construction in 1163. The work lasted until 1270. Architects and sculptors remained anonymous.

Notre Dame witnessed many historic events, including the coronation of Napoleon (1804) and the Magnificat for Paris liberation (August 26th 1944).