Methods to Go to Notre-Dame in 2025: After the Hearth

Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral has at all times been a spotlight in Paris. However because the fireplace in 2019, and particularly after its reopening, its significance has solely grown. What was as soon as a must-see is now an emblem of resilience, craftsmanship, and international consideration.

So sure—Notre-Dame completely belongs in your listing. It’s one of the highly effective locations to go to within the metropolis proper now. After I visited in December 2024, I used to be in tears. The cathedral is overwhelming in the most effective sense of the phrase.

One of the best half? You don’t even should go on the lookout for it. It’s proper there, in the midst of every thing. Whether or not you’re strolling by means of the Latin Quarter or simply crossing the Seine, these towers will catch your eye—in all probability greater than as soon as.

This isn’t a full customer information (not but—issues are nonetheless shifting after the reopening), nevertheless it provides you a transparent sense of what Notre-Dame Cathedral is, why it issues, and what’s modified because the fireplace.

Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning professional and parisienne since 2006 🩷

📌 200+ handpicked spots I really love – Get free entry to my Paris map 🗺️

#1 Fast Background & Historical past

Building of Notre-Dame de Paris started in 1163 and took practically 200 years to finish. It’s one of many most interesting examples of French Gothic structure—and one of many few medieval cathedrals nonetheless standing in a significant European capital.

Constructed on the positioning of a former Roman temple, it sits proper within the coronary heart of Paris on Île de la Cité. Over the centuries, it’s seen coronations, revolutions, wars, and restorations.

My Tip: In the event you go to the Louvre, be careful for the portray exhibiting The Coronoration of Napoleon – that second occurred proper right here, inside Notre-Dame.

By the Nineteenth century, the cathedral had fallen into disrepair—till Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame turned public consideration again to it. That novel sparked a full restoration, and what you see immediately is a mix of medieval stonework and Nineteenth-century imaginative and prescient.

#2 The Hearth That Modified Every thing

On the night of April 15, 2019, a hearth broke out beneath Notre-Dame’s roof. It unfold quick—destroying the spire, many of the wood body, and components of the vaulted ceiling.

It was a type of moments that stick. I used to be with my household, mid-way by means of a protracted journey, visiting the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana when the information broke. I keep in mind it prefer it was yesterday—and I’m positive you keep in mind the place you have been too.

The fireplace was linked to ongoing renovation work. Fortunately, many of the treasures inside have been saved—the Crown of Thorns, rooftop statues, even the organ. Nonetheless, the harm was large.

What adopted was a restoration effort on a scale few anticipated. A mixture of public donations, worldwide help, and authorities funding made it attainable. It didn’t reopen in time for the 2024 Olympics, however December 2024 was nonetheless extremely quick—given the scope, complexity, and strain.

For years, Notre-Dame stood behind scaffolding. Now the spire is rebuilt, the roof restored, and the guts of the cathedral open once more.

It’s not completed in each nook—however Notre-Dame reopened. And it’s completely value seeing.

#3 Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral At this time

While you go to the Notre Dame immediately, you’ll discover that the house feels each acquainted and newly restored. The sunshine, the stone, the quiet—it’s all again, however cleaner. And it’s as soon as once more one of many must-see sights in Paris.

Entry to the towers continues to be being finalised, however the important cathedral house is absolutely open.

Visiting Notre-Dame isn’t sophisticated, however there are some things to know. Whether or not you’re coming as a customer or to attend mass, right here’s the way it works.

With or With no Reservation

On the time of writing, Notre-Dame is open to the general public seven days per week, and entry to the cathedral is free.

If you wish to keep away from lengthy queues, it’s finest to e-book a free timed ticket on-line. These are launched as much as three days upfront and have a tendency to replenish shortly.

Didn’t get a ticket? No downside—you’ll be able to nonetheless enter. Simply count on to attend a bit.

Your finest probability for a shorter queue? Come early within the morning or after 17:30.

Attending Mass at Notre-Dame

In the event you’re desirous about attending a mass at Notre-Dame, you’ll be able to—providers have resumed and are open to the general public.

Plenty are held 5 to six instances every day, with particular providers on Sundays and spiritual holidays. You don’t want a reservation, and entry for worship is separate from common visits.

Veneration of the Holy Crown of Thorns

The Crown of Thorns—believed to have been worn by Christ earlier than the crucifixion—was one of many first relics saved in the course of the 2019 fireplace.

Encased in a sealed reliquary, it was rescued by a human chain of firefighters and clergy. Later it was later moved to the Louvre for safekeeping and returned to Notre-Dame after the restoration.

It’s one of many cathedral’s most sacred objects, stored alongside a chunk of the True Cross and a Nail of the Ardour, all preserved within the axial chapel.

The relics have a protracted and sophisticated historical past—commemorated in Jerusalem, later moved to Constantinople, and eventually dropped at Paris in 1239 by King Louis IX. To accommodate them, he constructed the Sainte-Chapelle simply close by.

At this time, they’re displayed for veneration on the first Friday of every month, from 3:00 to five:00 PM, adopted by Vespers at 5:30 PM. Understanding they survived the hearth provides one other layer of which means to any go to.

#4 Go to Notre-Dame: Wrap up

Visiting Notre-Dame now’s actually a bit breathtaking. After every thing that occurred, simply standing inside once more feels particular.

There’s one thing highly effective about seeing it restored—realizing how a lot effort, time, and cash went into bringing it again. All of us keep in mind the pictures of the hearth, the collapsed roof, the blackened inside. To see it now, clear, calm, and open once more? It’s laborious to consider.

You are feeling grateful. That it survived. That it’s again. And that you simply get to stroll by means of it.

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

Knowledgeable in: Parisian Life &

French Tradition, Journey

Planning, Crochet & Meals and Drinks

Be part of me on Fb for updates and information about Paris.

NEW: The Salut from Paris Journey Information:

If my Paris insights enable you plan your journey, please think about supporting me. Merci! ❤️ ☕