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Notre Dame Cathedral Culture & history

Our most recommended Notre Dame Cathedral Culture & history

Paris: Notre Dame Outdoor Walking Tour with Crypt Entry

1. Paris: Notre Dame Outdoor Walking Tour with Crypt Entry

See what remains of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire, and marvel at one of Paris' most iconic and historical buildings. Tour the archaeological crypt of Paris and see the old city's foundations on this daytime outdoor walking tour. See Notre Dame, an unmissable stop when visiting Paris, and see what remains of the history, tragedy and bright future of this beloved cathedral after the devastating fire in with this Notre Dame walking tour. Learn how construction began in 1163 and took over a century to finish and relive the night when people all over the world watched in horror as the cathedral filled the sky with ash, hearing what was lost but also what was saved. Share in the story of survival thanks to the valiant rescue and recovery efforts of first responders. Walk with a guide around the scene of the fire, as they share first-person perspectives about this historic event. Admire the iconic features of the well-known facade, including the towers and legendary gargoyles, reliving the moments when their survival was uncertain. Get as close as possible to Point Zero, the geographic center of Paris that’s sometimes considered a place of good luck, just steps from the famous cathedral. Finish the 45-minute walking tour at the entrance to the archaeological crypt below Notre Dame. Learn about this unique site before going underground for a self-guided visit to the very foundations of Île de la Cité, the original Paris.

Paris: The Louvre Museum and Seine River Cruise

2. Paris: The Louvre Museum and Seine River Cruise

Visit the masterpieces of the Louvre Museum, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Then, go on a cruise along the magnificent Seine River and admire the famous monuments in the city. Being the world's largest museum, the Louvre packs 35,000 artworks into a 73,000 square meter exhibition space in three wings. Each wing possesses more than 70 rooms and displays extensive paintings and objects of art. See the iconic Mona Lisa, marvel at thousands of amazing paintings, and walk among perfect sculptures. Book the option with an audio guide included and enhance your experience and understanding of the works on display. After the visit of the Louvre Museum, take a 1-hour Seine River cruise tour. See more of Paris' iconic monuments such as the Institut de France, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Conciergerie, Musee de Orsay, Hotel de Ville and more. Onboard you have access to an audio guide of your chosen language for free on the spot which will help you learn more about the vast history attached to each monument.

Paris: Louvre Ticket with Audioguide App and Seine Cruise

3. Paris: Louvre Ticket with Audioguide App and Seine Cruise

Make the most of your time in Paris with this combined ticket to the Louvre Museum and River Seine cruise. After booking, receive a downloadable link for the audioguide app directly to your email, as well as your e-ticket for the Louvre and the cruise. When the date of your booking arrives, avoid the long waiting times at the Louvre and enjoy skip-the-line entry to this world-famous museum. Inside, discover the array of iconic masterpieces that are housed here, including the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and many more. As you explore, listen to fascinating insight and information on your audioguide app. After your trip to the Louvre, head down to the water to embark on an exciting cruise along the River Seine. Sit back and relax as you soak up epic views of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. If you don’t fancy going on the cruise that day, enjoy the freedom to use your ticket anytime during your entire stay in Paris. Please note that the cruises are currently running from Wednesday to Sunday.

Paris: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, and Louvre Tour

4. Paris: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, and Louvre Tour

See all the world-renowned highlights of Paris in just one day. Take an elevator ride up the Eiffel Tower, join a scenic Seine cruise, pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral, and add an optional visit to the Louvre Pyramid on this guided tour of the city. Meet your local guide near the Eiffel Tower - be the first in line, avoid the crowds, and appreciate the amazing views of Paris from the 2nd or top floor (depending on the option you choose). Learn everything you need to know about the construction of the tower and the life of Gustave Eiffel. In the late morning, continue your tour with a boat ride on the Seine River to discover Paris and its waterfront landmarks such as the Orsay museum, the Louvre Museum, the Conciergerie, the Alexandre III Bridge, and the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. Then, get the train to the Louvre Museum and experience the atmosphere of Paris like a local, but also hear the most interesting facts about the train system and walk along the Seine River with your guide until you reach the world's largest museum, the Louvre. Listen to your guide give important information about its history and decide how to best enjoy your time inside. Most notably, see the Mona Lisa in person and explore the Italian and French painting departments or the antique Egyptian and Greek departments.

Paris: Grèvin Wax Museum and Seine River Cruise Tickets

5. Paris: Grèvin Wax Museum and Seine River Cruise Tickets

Book your entry ticket to the Grèvin Wax Museum in Paris and travel through time with celebrities and historical figures alike. Then, embark on a Seine River cruise and admire Parisian highlights, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. At the Grèvin Wax Museum located in the heart of Paris, see more than 200 personalities including stars of television, film, music, and more. Pose and take pictures with your favorite celebrities from the past and present. Afterward, make your way to the Bateaux Parisiens Pier for a cruise along the Seine River. Admire landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, and Notre-Dame de Paris. Listen to the audio guide for facts about the monuments and environment.

Paris Jewish History 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour

6. Paris Jewish History 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour

The history of the Hebrew community in Paris, and in fact throughout Europe, is rich and complex, and tragic on more than one occasion. From a time centuries ago when there was a Hebrew community in the Paris area before France even existed, through the Medieval period and the rise of anti-Semitism, you’ll take a historical journey through to the present day. On this 2-hour guided walk, your guide will tell you about the main events in the history of the Hebrew community in Paris. Some of the important points were the raids of the French kings, the Dreyfus affair, WWII Nazi occupation, and the Vichy government. You’ll learn about the medieval origins of various superstitions and prejudgments about the Hebrew community. The principal sites you’ll see on the tour include Notre-Dame Cathedral, the memorial to the victims of the Vichy regime, the Pletzl area in the traditional Jewish quarter, the Rue des Écouffes, the Goldenberg Deli, and the Art Nouveau synagogue in the Rue Pavée.

Paris: Ile de la Cite Walking Tour with Notre Dame

7. Paris: Ile de la Cite Walking Tour with Notre Dame

Join your guide for a fascinating walking tour of the charming and historical Ile de la Cite. Start your tour on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter and pass by the famed bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, a gathering place for the literary legends of the 'Lost Generation'.   Then, see the imposing gothic structure of Notre Dame Cathedral. Built in the 13th century, this magnificent edifice has recently survived a devastating fire, yet she is still standing proudly as the symbol of the city. Learn of her incredible construction and watch history unfold before you, as she readies herself to stand tall for another eight centuries.   Next, enjoy a short stroll through the charming flower market to Sainte Chapelle. Built in the 13th century by King Saint Louis, 80% of the walls are covered by remarkable colored glass windows. Your last visit is to the Conciergerie, built as a medieval palace, but most famous as the prison and last home of Queen Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution.

Sainte-Chapelle, Seine Cruise & Medieval Quarter Tour

8. Sainte-Chapelle, Seine Cruise & Medieval Quarter Tour

This in-depth exploration of the histories, myths, legends, and lore hidden behind the stones of Paris’ most interesting neighborhood takes you to the historic Île de la Cité in the heart of the city. From the gothic splendor of the bell towers of Notre Dame that inspired Victor Hugo to create his hunchback bell-ringer, to the dazzling stained glass windows in Sainte Chapelle, you’ll see Paris from several entirely different perspectives, and discover exactly what makes it such a special place. Your day starts with a stroll along the banks of the Seine, where you’ll hear all about the hidden history of this intriguing city, taking in its romantic sights along the way. Following this, it's time for a short wander through the streets of Île Saint-Louis, where you'll get a stunning view of your next stop. As you approach the iconic Notre Dame, your guide will take you back in time hundreds of years to when the mighty cathedral (the distance from which all points in France are measured) was first built and Paris looked very different than it does today. You’ll be taken as close to the majestic landmark as the ongoing restoration will permit you to give you the best views possible. After crossing the river into the historic Latin Quarter, you’ll stroll down meandering, cobblestone streets where you'll hear the stories and learn of the characters—poets, philosophers, artists—that made Paris the City of Light. Then, it's a short walk to the Conciergerie, the oldest remaining part of the Palais de la Cité. This former royal residence of the kings of France became a prison during the French Revolution. You'll enter with pre-reserved tickets and receive a guided tour.* Next, you’ll head to the city’s most beautiful chapel—Sainte Chapelle. This royal chapel was originally built to house relics and today it’s still one of the most jaw-dropping rooms in Paris. It’s also one of the city’s most popular attractions. Luckily, you’ll have skip-the-line tickets and a guided tour* to fully appreciate this remarkable monument. After passing through the tranquil Place Dauphine, your guide will leave you with a special treat—a river cruise along the Seine where you can experience and view Paris and it’s many magnificent buildings from a new vantage point. The cruise will last one hour and has also a live guide on board. *Please note: This tour includes a guided tour of the Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle from April 1, 2023. Tours before this date will visit the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle for self-guided visit. Sites Visited: Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior) Île de la Cité Sainte Chapelle River Seine Place Dauphine Latin Quarter Île Saint-Louis

Notre Dame: Private Guided Visit

9. Notre Dame: Private Guided Visit

Notre Dame in Paris is one of the city's most visited monuments, second (or equal) only to the Eiffel tower. The comprehensive tour takes you back on a journey of more than 850 years of history. You will go deep into what Paris was like then, how the church came to be and what it stood for. To properly understand its importance and purpose, a picture will be painted of medieval life, thoughts, ideas and conceptions of the world. Like most Gothic cathedrals, Notre Dame is not only a building representative of the era of its conception, but it's also a checkpoint of every successive era. These churches took a long time to build; even when the initial work was finished, they were constantly maintained, with new layers of history added as time went by. This cathedral is a testament to French and Parisian culture. You will learn more about Europe, France and Paris on this tour than in any other site, museum or monument in the city.

Paris: Private Museum and Highlights Tour for Families

10. Paris: Private Museum and Highlights Tour for Families

Discover Paris with your family in a fun way! Enjoy a historical, gastronomic, and cultural tour with a private guide, ideal to enjoy with your kids. Walk through the most charming districts of the city and get lost in its narrow streets, far from the crowds. Listen to the incredible stories your private guide has to tell you. Enjoy different interactive games with your children and exciting stories such as the famous hunchback of Notre Dame. Explore playgrounds and green spaces to play. Discover the romantic history hidden in the Pont des Arts, along with its endless number of locks. Taste exquisite French pastries in one of the most famous boulangeries, where the children will enjoy a hot chocolate, while you try a traditional Parisian coffee. Relax on the banks of the Seine, in a lovely fountain with colorful sculptures while the children feed the ducks. Take the metro to enjoy the incredible Museum of Evolution. Say goodbye to your private guide at the entrance to the museum and enjoy it inside for as long as you like. Walk among dinosaurs and mammoths and travel back in time millions of years to learn more about the history of the world.

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What people are saying about Notre Dame Cathedral

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,287 reviews

I’m not a big art person, but I think this is something everyone should see at least once in their lives! So much history and to think about how the paintings and sculptures were made so long ago when seeing how detailed they were was amazing! I went by myself and I had a great time. I was leaving to go back to Germany this day, so I wanted to spend most of my time, before leaving, walking around the Louvre. My feet were hurting so much from the previous days that i didn’t know how long I would actually make it before needing to leave. I made it about 2 hours before I was in pain. Towards the end, I was just trying to walk through to see stuff instead of reading. I think I made it probably 1/3 of the way through the whole place, there’s just so much! Definitely a whole day thing for those who want to be thorough! The river cruise was a lot of fun. I did it at night and it was cold, but a great experience! Watching the Tower sparkle from the river was beautiful! Highly recommend this!

It was good. We were able to buy the tickets at short notice (1 day before the activity) and received them early in the morning by email and via Whatsapp. The Louvre Museum was very interesting and the Mona Lisa could only be viewed from a little further because there was a very long line in front of it. If you have the time, you can get closer and take nice pictures. Since this booking was here without an audio guide, and you could not buy one on site, and the descriptions on the exhibits were unfortunately only in French, we could not read the background information on the exhibits. Too bad. The boat trip on the Seine was super nice and especially great in the evening. If you're already in Paris, you should have done these two things!

Some line and wait, even though a time specific ticket. Security check went smoothly. 35,000 plus exhibits were overwhelming. Being January, the line to see Mona Lisa was about 30 people. Did not see room numbers in every room and map did not have all the numbers that were seen, so directions were a bit confusing. Overall, well worth the trip.

1. Worth the money 2. You need to dedicate at least one full day to visiting Louvre 3. The audioguide makes the experience much much better 4. You can take the cruise the next day.

Great tour to see most locations of touristy areas. Recommend the Louve option. But note that if you want to explore the whole Louve you will need minimum a whole day.