Day

One of the world’s most well known books, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was written centered around this cathedral. Built between 1163 and 1345, the Notre Dame Cathedral has become one of the most visited religious buildings in the world: it has more that 13 million visitors per year!

 WHAT TO SEE?

Let Notre Dame Cathedral conquer your heart! Located in the very center of the city, Notre Dame Cathedral has had various architects who introduced new and different innovative architecture during its building until 1345. You will be able to appreciate the evolution of the architecture when you visit.

Its famous gargoyles can be appreciated from the top of the towers, where you will be able to enjoy a privileged view of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is also home to one of the world’s largest organs, and several huge church bells. The bell in the south tower is named Emmanuel and weighs 13 tons, one of the biggest of the world!

In addition, Notre Dame offers various religious activities, especially on weekends, such as the Gregorian masses, international masses and different religious services among other cultural activities. You can check them here.

The Famous Gargoyles

HOW TO EXPERIENCE IT?

Located by the Seine River, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was built on an island located in the middle of the river.

You can visit Notre-Dame cathedral for free.  But if you are
considering to climb the famous towers, you will need to buy a specific ticket.

There is almost always a line at the entrance of the cathedral on the square, but since it’s only a security check and you don’t need to buy tickets there, don’t be afraid, the line goes pretty fast and you should not wait much longer than 30 minutes approximately. As for the towers, it’s another story…. Since there is a maximum number of people allowed in the towers at the same time, the line goes very slowly, and there is no possibility to bypass it! The doors open at 10am, but it’s not rare to see people beginning to line up from 8am, just to be among the first ones when the door open. Take patience, and do not be disappointed as you will only be allowed to stay a few minutes at the top of the towers…

Time to visit the cathedral is included in most of ParisByM packages. You can check them in our website.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Hours: opened every day of the year from 8:00 am to 6:45 pm. Late opening on Saturdays and Sundays until 7:45pm
• Price: Cathedral entry: free. Entrance for the towers: 8 €, free under 18 or under 26 being EU resident
• Access: Metro station: “Cité”. RER B and C “Notre Dame Saint Michel” station. Bus: lines 21, 38, 47, 85 and 96
• IMPORTANT: the staircase of the towers are narrow and count 422 stairs, without lift nor toilets. It’s therefore not recommended for pregnant women, people in overweight or with a bad leg, and for young children.

Additional sightseeings in Paris

Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris

Champs Élysées

Montmartre Tour

WANT TO SEE MORE?

It was a train station before becoming  known worldwide for impressionist art. The Orsay museum was firstly inaugurated by François Mitterand in 1986. From this year forward, the museum has been housing one of the most important impressionist collections in the world.

Musée d’Orsay

WHAT TO SEE?

Interiorly designed by the Italian architect and industrial designer, Gaetana Aulenti, the Orsay museum provides you with some exquisite collections of art.

Once in the museum, you will have the chance to contemplate the most important impressionist artists and their masterpieces: Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh are just some of them.

You can also appreciate the architecture of the building. As it was a train station in the 1900’s, the Orsay museum allows you to see this previous station, since almost nothing was changed after its closing in 1939.

The Top-10 masterpieces in the museum are:

1.  Degas, The Ballet Class (La Classe de danse, 1874)

2.  Manet,  Luncheon on the Grass (Déjeuner sur l’herbe, 1863)

3.  Manet, Olympia (1863)

4.  Renoir, Dance at le Moulin de la Galette (Bal du moulin de la Galette, 1876)

5.  Courbet,  The Origin of the World (L’origine du monde, 1866)

6.  Rodin, Fugit Amor (1886)

7.  Van Gogh, Starry Night Over the Rhône ( Nuit étoilée sur le Rhône, 1888)

8.  Cézanne, The Card Players (Les joueurs de cartes, 1892-1895)

9.  Monet, London, Houses of Parliament (Londres, le Parlement, 1904)

10. Monet, Blue Water Lilies (Nymphéas bleus, 1916-1919)

HOW TO EXPERIENCE IT?

Located by  the Seine River, the Orsay Museum is waiting for you to offer the best impressionism experience you will ever have. You can prepare your visit to this historic building beforehand by purchasing your tickets in advance. You should visit the museum early in the morning or enter the museum around 2 hours before the closing. A perfect end to the day!

Floor vision map available here

If you are an art lover, you might be interested in taking an audio tour within the museum. The audio tours have an addition cost, but provide you with a lot of information about specific works of art.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

• Hours:  9:30am to 6pm. Mondays closed. Open late on Thursday.
• Prices: 12€, free for EU residents under 26. Free under 18.

Additional sightseeings in Paris

Versailles Castle

Notre Dame Cathedral

Arc de Triomphe