HikingHistoricalCulture

Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte Chapelle Semi Private Tour

4.5(80 reviews)Paris, France
2h15DurationEnglishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel

About this experience

Participants will explore Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle on a semi-private guided tour lasting 2 hours. The group is limited to 8 participants, allowing for a more personalized experience. The tour includes guided visits to both landmarks, with pre-reserved tickets ensuring smooth entry to Sainte-Chapelle. The guide will provide engaging stories and insights about the history of these significant sites.

Itinerary

1

Ile de la Cite

Discover Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle on a semi-private tour of no more than 5 guests. Explore Notre Dame Cathedral with your guide and use pre-reserved tickets to enter Sainte-Chapelle stress-free.

2

Sainte-Chapelle

Begin at Sainte-Chapelle, built in the 13th century by King Louis IX to house sacred relics, including the Crown of Thorns. Step inside to admire 15 magnificent stained-glass windows, each soaring to 15 meters and telling more than 1,100 biblical stories. Experience one of the most breathtaking sights of the Middle Ages, as colorful light fills the royal chapel. Learn how Sainte-Chapelle symbolized both faith and royal power, becoming one of Europe’s most admired Gothic treasures.

3

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Take a short walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, begun in 1163 and completed over 200 years later. Admire its flying buttresses, sculpted portals, and towers that made it the heart of medieval Paris. Recall iconic moments in French history: Joan of Arc’s trial, Napoleon’s coronation, and the worldwide fame of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Visit the interior with your guide to uncover Gothic design, sacred art, and hidden symbolism. Learn about the 2019 fire, which damaged parts of the cathedral yet left it standing as a symbol of resilience. Restoration is ongoing, but visitors can still admire its façade, towers, and lively square.

What's included / not included

Pre-reserved tickets for Sainte Chapelle and guided tour insideGuided visit of Notre Dame CathedralProfessional and local tour guides2-hour walking tour with engaging storiesSemi-private groups of up to 8 people
Transport to the meeting point

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Good to know

  • Entry to Notre Dame Cathedral is free. Services offered are independent of entry to the building.
  • Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the monument.
  • Prohibited items (such as sharp objects, glass bottles, and aerosols) confiscated at the entrance of the monument will not be returned to visitors.
  • Respectful clothing is required to enter the cathedral. Shoulders and belly must be covered, thighs at least half-covered, and transparent clothing is not permitted. Entry may be denied if these rules are not respected.
  • Strikes at the Sainte-Chapelle may occur, and the monument may decide to close without prior notice. If this happens, you can take a guided walking tour of Paris instead.
  • Please remember to bring valid identification documents with you, considering monument entrances and security checks within the city.
  • Please note that fast-track entry is not available for the cathedral. All visitors, including guided groups, must pass through mandatory security checks, which may result in a wait at the entrance.
  • Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
  • Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
  • Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
  • Please note that the Notre-Dame Cathedral recently restricted guided tours inside the cathedral every day. A guided visit inside may not be guaranteed. In such a case, your guide will provide explanations from outside the Cathedral.
  • The Cathedral may occasionally have unforeseen access restrictions for groups due to liturgical celebrations.

Traveller reviews

4.580 reviews

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