RoamRide
HistoricalCultureHiking

Notre-Dame Cathedral & Île de la Cité Walking Tour

4.4(1364 reviews)Paris, FranceRef. viator-8954P40
2hDurationEnglishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel

About this experience

This walking tour includes a guided exterior exploration of Notre-Dame Cathedral and Île de la Cité, led by a local expert. After the guided portion, participants can enter the cathedral independently to experience its interior at their own pace. The tour covers the historic streets of Île de la Cité, showcasing hidden squares, medieval streets, and significant landmarks. The tour is suitable for individuals and small groups interested in history and architecture. It is not designed for those seeking a fast-paced experience or a strictly guided interior visit. Before booking, note that the tour involves walking and may require comfortable footwear.

Itinerary

1

Square Jean XXIII

Antic religious site where archaeological excavations discovered a pillar used for propaganda. Made by the Nautes (corporation of traders) How the Romans used les Nautes (economic and political power of Paris) to reconcile the Celtic and Greco-Roman pantheon of gods). Great pictures of Notre Dame’s flying buttress.

2

The Seine

Enjoy a walk along the Seine, the iconic river of Paris. The Seine and its banks belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in central Paris.

3

Ile de la Cite

Discover Ile de la Cite, an island in central Paris and home of many landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sainte-Chapelle.

4

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Inside Notre Dame: Enter the 12th and 13th-century Gothic monument. Discover more than 450,000 square feet of cream-colored limestone that has been meticulously stripped of ash, lead dust and centuries of accumulated grime, leaving its soaring vaults, thick columns and tall walls almost startlingly bright, calling out with celestial magnetism. Admire and enjoy the craftsmanship of over 2,000 workers and craftsmen from around France who contributed to the cathedral’s reconstruction. Discover the new liturgical furniture, like the altar; peered at delicately sculpted scenes from the life of Christ. Marvel at gold-leaf stars set across a deep blue ceiling in one of the painted side chapels; and look up at cherubs on the oculus, a ring of stone at the centre of the four vaults that form the cathedral’s transept crossing. Admire the cathedral’s central nave, that has been restored creating the foundation for one of the most spectacular architectural masterpieces ever constructed.

5

Point zero des routes de France

Where we measure the distance of Paris from other places. Step on it to come back to Paris. Where criminals used to repent before their execution.

6

Prefecture de Police

Préfecture de Police 5 mins See the he Paris Police Prefecture, the unit of the French Ministry of the Interior that provides police, emergency services, and various administrative services to the population of the city of Paris and the surrounding three suburban départements of The Paris Police Prefecture supervises the Paris Police force, the Paris Fire Brigade, and various administrative departments in charge of issuing ID cards and driver licenses or monitoring alien residents. The Department is housed in a wonderful historical building clearly showing bullet impact on the building from WWII liberation of Paris from the Germans.

7

Marche aux fleurs - Ile de la Cite

Visit the Flower Market of the Notre Dame Island Located on Place Louis Lépine between the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle Chapel. The flower market has attracted avid gardeners and curious passersby since 1830. Both covered and open-air, the market is mainly formed by pavilions from the 1900s and when open is a wonderful sight to enjoy. * This market is not always open but groups will still walk through the area regardless.

8

Palais de Justice de Paris

Courthouse of Paris 5 mins While the tour group are on the on the City Island of Paris “Ile de la Cité” they will see one of the oldest and most prestigious official buildings in Paris, the Palais de Justice law courts. As far back as Roman times the site was used as a place of government, and this example was followed by the succeeding Merovingian and Capetian dynasties, which their guide will give an overview of as well as time to take photos.

9

Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel in the Gothic style, within the medieval Palais de la Cité, the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine in Paris, France. Construction began sometime after 1238 and the chapel was consecrated on 26 April 1248. We enter later with the people who chose this option. Guests will have time to take photos and enjoy a brief introduction to this exquisite Gothic masterpiece’s exterior. We enter later with the people who chose this option for a 60 minute interior visit.

10

Conciergerie

Guests will stop to take photos and enjoy a fascinating introduction to the Old prison of Paris where Marie Antoinette stayed 9 months. It is here that the famous Revolutionary Tribunal sentenced 2,639 people to be executed by guillotine in Paris during the Reign of Terror, which took place during the French Revolution.

11

Tour de l'Horloge

Clock Tower 3 mins Guests will see and learn about out about this 650 year old clock, the first a watchtower for the security of the Royal Palace. It is rectangular, massive, 47 meters high. Its walls were nearly a meter thick. The Clock Tower has undergone extensive restorations. From 1840 to 1843 to consolidate the lower part and establish a guardhouse at its foot, between 1843 and 1848, then between 1860 and 1861, and restored it to its medieval appearance, especially in its upper parts. The vaulted room on the fourth floor, was completely restored, as was the upper level of the tower.

12

Place Dauphine

Oldest square in Paris built by Henri IV for his 1st son. Where French people play a game very dear to them: la pétanque.

13

Pont Neuf

Oldest bridge in Paris. Stunning view of the Louvre, Seine River, Eiffel tower, French Academy and Monnaie de Paris. End of tour for those without Sainte Chappelle tickets.

What's included / not included

Panoramic Views of the breathtaking Île de la Cité and the Seine RiverNotre Dame Cathedral and its breathtaking architectureIndependent visit inside Notre-Dame Cathedral via the cathedral's individual visitor entry systemGuided tour with first-class guide & recommendations on the highlights not to miss inside Notre-DameOptional upgrade to enter the Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century royal chapel built by King Louis IXOptional Upgrade to fully guided Notre Dame visit buy selecting the upgrade optionFully guided exterior tour of Notre-Dame Cathedral
Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off / Transportation / Food and Drink / Gratitude

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Not recommended for travellers with limited mobility
  • Guests who upgraded to enter to Sainte-Chappelle, please bring: Photo ID, Comfortable shoes and water (we will be waiting in the sun), Church dress code: A scarf or jumper to cover your shoulders

Good to know

  • The entrance to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is free and open to all. The services offered are independent of access to the interior of the building.
  • Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
  • Wheelchairs, motorised scooters or any other device to assist mobility are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee: that all footpaths/sidewalks/curbs will have suitable ramps.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older.
  • Please bring: Photo ID, Comfortable shoes and water (we will be waiting in the sun), Church dress code: A scarf or jumper to cover your shoulders
  • Please be aware that due to the recent re opening of Notre Dame the Cathedral is extremely popular causing wait times to increase. This is completely out of our control.
  • Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.

Traveller reviews

4.41364 reviews

Reviews are hosted by Viator

This rating summarises the reviews collected by Viator, which keeps them on its own listing. We show the average exactly as it reaches us, without the individual comments.

Read the reviews on Viator

More to do in Paris

Everything in Paris