Notre Dame de Paris is reopening! The cathedral is one of top 10 places to visit in Paris. With a history that goes back almost 900 years, this Gothic cathedral has witnessed some of the most important moments in French history. This medieval structure (immortalized by Victor Hugo in one of his novels) never fails to impress with its majestic architecture and wealth of artwork. Such as the magnificent rose windows in the transept, which are among the largest in Europe, with a diameter of no less than 13 meters. Notre Dame is located on the Île de la Cité, the historic city center of Paris in the 4th arrondissement.
After the church was badly damaged by a fire on April 15, 2019, it took just over five years to complete the restoration. The reopening to the general public is on December 8, 2024. Although the cathedral will reopen in December, a visit to the towers and treasury is not yet possible. Not all work has been completed yet and will continue in 2025 and 2026. The area around Notre Dame will also be renovated with green spaces. Are you going to Paris for Christmas this year? Then this is a unique opportunity to be one of the first visitors to admire the restored cathedral. Or visit the Notre Dame Christmas market opposite the cathedral.
Good to know: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will reopen to the general public on 8 December 2024 at 6:30 PM (mass celebration). There will be a festive opening on 7 December. In this article, we will also tell you how to reserve free tickets and some fun facts.
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1. Reopening of Notre-Dame in Paris in December 2024 & tickets
The reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is on Saturday, December 7, 2024, with a weekend full of ceremonies. On December 8, 2024 at 6:30 PM, the cathedral will reopen to the general public with a celebration of mass. To visit Notre-Dame de Paris during the first days after the reopening, you can book a free ticket via the cathedral’s online registration system. In theory, booking is not mandatory, the diocese of Paris indicates on its website. However, it is strongly recommended.
Please note that you can only book a few days in advance, not weeks or months in advance. Once the first visitor numbers decrease to normal levels (presumably from December 16, 2024), you will probably no longer need to make a reservation. Furthermore, Notre-Dame will reopen to groups from spring 2025. Keep an eye on the Notre-Dame website.
• How do I book a ticket to visit Notre-Dame?
To ensure the reopening runs as smoothly as possible, a free reservation system was set up via the official Notre-Dame website and mobile app (downloadable on iOS and Android). Bookings opened on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with 30-minute slots that will be adapted in real time to the occupancy rate. The first days of visits were sold out in a few minutes.
2. The fire of April 15, 2019 at Notre-Dame
On April 15, 2019, Notre Dame was hit by a devastating fire. Images of the burning Notre Dame, one of the most famous symbols of Paris, have been seen around the world. The fire started in the evening and spread very quickly through the wooden roof truss, known as “the forest” because of the many centuries-old beams that supported it. The fire caused the iconic spire (designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century) to collapse and damaged a significant portion of the roof. Although the stone structure remained largely intact, precious works of art and relics were threatened.
Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and a huge rescue operation, many of these valuable objects, such as the Crown of Thorns and historic bells, were saved. The fire sparked a wave of solidarity, with donors from around the world pledging billions of euros for the restoration of this priceless cultural treasure.
3. History of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world and was built between 1163 and 1345. The first stone was laid under Bishop Maurice de Sully (during the reign of King Louis VII) with the aim of creating a majestic religious center that would reflect the power of the church and the capital. The construction combined innovative Gothic architecture with elements such as pointed arches, flying buttresses and beautiful stained glass windows, representing a revolutionary aesthetic and technique. During the Middle Ages, the cathedral became an important center for religious ceremonies and political events, including coronations and state affairs.
The famous cathedral has undergone many changes and challenges over the centuries. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, Notre Dame was severely damaged for the first time. Many of the artworks and religious symbols were destroyed. Thanks to Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1831, attention was again drawn to the monument’s value. This led to a large-scale restoration led by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.
In April 2019, Notre-Dame was hit by a devastating fire that destroyed the spire and much of the roof. Global efforts have since been focused on restoring this iconic monument, which is a symbol of Parisian history, art and spirituality.
• What to visit in Notre-Dame?
Not to be missed on the outside of Notre-Dame are the 2 Gothic towers, the spire and the gargoyles. Inside, the cathedral is decorated with biblical images, but the most beautiful to admire are the stained glass windows and rose windows of 13 meters in diameter that depict religious stories.
4. Fun facts about visiting Notre Dame
• A first fun fact? On the square in front of Notre-Dame is Point Zéro, the starting point of all distance measurements in France. It is a small bronze star in the ground that many tourists touch as a symbol of good luck.
• Notre-Dame de Paris is 130 meters long and 69 meters wide. The nave has a height of 35 meters. The crossing tower is 90 meters high.
• The costs for the total renovation are estimated at 700 million euros and are fully covered by donations (mostly donations under 1000€). A total of 846 million euros in donations came from 340,000 donors from 150 countries.
• About 12 million people visit Notre-Dame Cathedral every year (number of visitors before Covid)
• Did you know that you can also visit the towers (currently not possible due to the restoration)? The stairs to the tower consist of 365 steps.
• Notre Dame’s largest bell, Emmanuel, weighs over 13 tons. It is only rung on special occasions, such as national holidays.
• Notre Dame is home to one of the world’s most famous church organs. This masterpiece has around 8,000 pipes and five keyboards.
• By the 19th century, the cathedral had fallen into disrepair and was even threatened with demolition. The publication of Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1831 brought great public interest to the building.
• Notre Dame’s gargoyles are not only decorative but also functional. They serve as drainpipes, directing water away from the cathedral’s walls. Their scary appearance is said to scare off evil spirits.
5. Notre-Dame: address, opening hours & public transport
• Notre-Dame address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
• Opening hours of the cathedral after the reopening:
– On 8 December 2024 (the day after the opening ceremony), the cathedral will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
– From 9 to 13 December 2024 from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
– On the weekend of 14 and 15 December 2024, it will be open between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Opening hours from 16 December 2024:
– From Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until 10 p.m. on Thursdays)
– Saturday and Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Public transport: the famous monument is located in the heart of the Île de la Cité and is easily accessible by metro (metro line 4 – Cité or Saint-Michel stops). Several buses (21, 38, 47, 85 and 96) also stop nearby.
