Notre-Dame de Paris: a visitor's guide

Notre-Dame is far more than a tourist attraction. It remains the cathedral of the archdiocese of Paris, at the center of the spiritual life of the city's Catholics, and over the centuries it has inspired countless artists, among them Victor Hugo. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as one of the most remarkable achievements of Gothic art.

The Île de la Cité, the oldest district
The cathedral sits on the Île de la Cité, the oldest quarter of the City of Light, spanning the 1st and 4th arrondissements. The island is rich in unmissable sites, including the Conciergerie prison, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Pont Neuf, and the Pont de l'Archevêché that span the Seine. It is a place made for strolling, through pleasant streets and squares steeped in history.

Restored and reopened
In the nineteenth century the building was renovated under the direction of the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Its long-awaited reopening marks a new chapter, giving the public the chance to rediscover it. Access to the cathedral is now free, but requires an online reservation, allowing for a richer and better organized experience. Notre-Dame continues to embody the soul of Paris, between heritage and modernity.