Notre Dame Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Notre Dame Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Planning your visit to Notre Dame Cathedral is easier when you know the schedule and peak times. Here you’ll find up-to-date Notre Dame Opening Hours, details about the Treasury, and tips on the best times of year and day to experience the cathedral without the crowds.
Notre Dame Opening Hours
The Notre Dame Opening Hours allow visitors to explore the cathedral daily, with extended times on Thursdays and slight changes on weekends.
- Monday to Friday: 7:50 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:50 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing time
Note: Hours may vary on public holidays, religious services, or special events. Always check the official Notre Dame website before your visit.
Treasury Opening Hours
The Treasury has its own visiting times and requires a separate entry fee.
- Weekdays: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays)
- Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Bell Towers Opening Hours
The Towers of Notre-Dame officially reopened to visitors on Saturday, 20 September 2025, during France’s Heritage Days weekend.
- 24 September – 31 October 2025: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- 1 November – 31 March: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Last entry: 1 hour before closing time
Note: Tickets are required for the towers,and they are closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. Visitors are allowed about five minutes at the top to ensure everyone can enjoy the panoramic view.
Archaeological Crypt Opening Hours
Located beneath the parvis in front of the cathedral, the Archaeological Crypt has separate entry and ticketing.
- Closed on Mondays and public holidays
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Best Time to Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame is one of Paris’s busiest attractions, so timing matters. Visiting outside peak hours or during quieter months ensures a more enjoyable experience.
Spring (March–May)
Pleasant weather and moderate crowds, best for photography.
Summer (June–August)
Extended daylight hours but busiest season, book tickets well in advance.
Autumn (September–November)
Fewer tourists, colorful scenery along the Seine.
Winter (December–February)
Least crowded, but days are shorter and colder; magical during the holiday season.
Weekends vs. Weekdays
- Weekends: Expect heavier crowds with both locals and tourists, especially from 2 PM to 4 PM; longer lines for entry.
- Weekdays: Monday to Wednesday are generally quieter. Thursday gets busier, particularly from the late afternoon to the evening when the cathedral stays open until 10 PM. Friday sees the highest weekday crowds, peaking around 2–3 PM.
Time of Day
- Early mornings: Best for peaceful visits, softer light through the stained glass.
- Afternoons (2:00–3:00 PM): Peak visitor times, often crowded inside and outside.
- Evenings (Thursdays): Extended hours allow for a calmer experience after day tours leave.
How Many Hours Do You Need in Notre Dame Cathedral?
A typical visit to Notre Dame Cathedral lasts 1–2 hours, depending on your interests. If you plan to explore the Treasury, admire the chapels, and spend time in reflection, allow closer to 2.5 hours. Guided tours may also extend your visit, offering deeper insight into the cathedral’s history, art, and architecture.
Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral
In addition to being a world-famous monument, Notre Dame is still an active place of worship. Visitors are welcome to attend daily and Sunday Mass, experiencing the cathedral’s spiritual life alongside its history and architecture.
The schedule may vary for special feasts or holidays, so it is best to check the official program before your visit.
Notre-Dame Tickets
Explore below our curated selection of Notre-Dame tickets and guided tours:
Top-Value Notre-Dame Exterior Tour
Paris: Notre-Dame Guided Tour with Multiple Entry Options
1.1K+ reviews
€19
GetYourGuide
The guide was very entertaining & engaging. He made the notre dame cathedral come to life with all the interesting facts he shared. Highly recommended!
Top-Rated Notre-Dame Guided Tour
Paris: Notre-Dame Cathedral Interior and Exterior Guided Tour
1K+ reviews
€66
GetYourGuide
The tour was fabulous. I thought it was going to be mostly outside with a quick 5-10 minutes inside Notre Dame.…
Top-Rated Notre-Dame Small Group Tour
Notre Dame Cathedral Small-Group Guided Tour with Standard Entry
170+ reviews
€29
Headout
It was easy to connect with our tour guide. As we walked to Notre Dame she talked about the area and identified other buildings.
Most Popular Île de la Cité Walking Tour
Paris: Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Notre Dame Guided Tour
710+ reviews
€55
GetYourGuide
Our guide, Vanina Bartoli was very knowledgeable and patient in bringing myself and my wife on the tour of the Saint-Chapelle.
Best Selling Notre-Dame Crypt Entry Ticket
Top-Value Notre-Dame Exterior Tour
Paris: Notre-Dame Guided Tour with Multiple Entry Options
Choose between an outdoor early-access introduction to Notre-Dame’s façade and forecourt, or a reserved-entry guided visit inside the cathedral. Learn about its history, symbolism, and restoration while experiencing one of Paris’s most iconic monuments.
“The guide was very entertaining & engaging. He made the Notre Dame Cathedral come to life with all the interesting facts he shared. Highly recommended.” Fe, United States, Oct. 2025 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Top-Rated Notre-Dame Guided Tour
Paris: Notre-Dame Cathedral Interior and Exterior Guided Tour
Join a small-group educational tour that explores both the exterior and interior of Notre-Dame. Led by a certified guide, uncover Gothic secrets, admire the Rose Window, and learn how figures like Napoleon and Victor Hugo shaped the cathedral’s remarkable history and cultural legacy.
“The tour was fabulous. I thought it was going to be mostly outside with a quick 5-10 minutes inside Notre Dame. No – it was almost entirely inside!” Mary, United States, Oct. 2025 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Top-Rated Notre-Dame Small Group Tour
Notre Dame Cathedral Small-Group Guided Tour with Standard Entry
Experience Notre-Dame Cathedral on a 1–1.5 hour small-group tour led by a licensed guide. Explore its stunning façade, breathtaking stained glass, and restored interiors while enjoying expert storytelling in an intimate setting limited to just seven participants for a more personal visit.
“It was easy to connect with our tour guide. As we walked to Notre Dame she talked about the area and identified other buildings.” Frances, Oct. 2025 [Source: Headout]
Most Popular Île de la Cité Walking Tour
Paris: Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Notre Dame Guided Tour
Explore three iconic landmarks on Île de la Cité with a local guide. Admire Notre-Dame’s Gothic façade, step inside Sainte-Chapelle to marvel at dazzling stained glass, and visit the historic Conciergerie, once a royal palace and revolutionary prison, with pre-reserved tickets included.
“Our guide, Vanina Bartoli was very knowledgeable and patient in bringing myself and my wife on the tour of the Saint-Chapelle.” Michael, Singapore, Sep. 2025 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Best Selling Notre-Dame Crypt Entry Ticket
Archeological Crypt of Île de la Cité Entry Tickets
Discover the hidden past of Paris beneath Notre-Dame with entry to the Archeological Crypt. Explore ancient Roman and medieval ruins, learn about the city’s transformation from Lutetia to modern Paris, and enjoy self-guided access to exhibitions showcasing centuries of Parisian history.
“This was a fascinating exhibition very well explained and documented, accompanied by interesting films. One of the most interesting exhibits in Paris.” Susan, Sep. 2025 [Source: Headout]
