Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral

Whatever the trials and tribulations, the old lady keeps watch over the Île de la Cité. For 5 years, she shared the esplanade with the scaffolding before regaining her full glory and her place as the most visited national monument. And while the bells of Notre-Dame once again resound in the skies over Paris, it's the towers themselves that are getting a final makeover before welcoming visitors from all over the world eager for a thrill. From 20 September 2025, visitors will finally be able to climb the double spiral staircases to a height of 69 metres and enjoy a breathtaking view of Paris, its surroundings and the spire of the cathedral. The tour route has been enriched and promises some great surprises.

The great lady of stone

At a height of 69 metres, the cathedral stands out in the landscape. It's impossible to stand still in front of its Gothic facade, its carved portal and its magnificent rosace. Notre-Dame is more than just a place of worship. It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Just a few metres away, the Sainte-Chapelle echoes it with its dazzling stained glass windows. And a few feet underground, the journey continues with the archaeological crypt of the Île de la Cité. A religious, historical and cultural pilgrimage.

Tried and tested by history

History tells us that the first stone was laid in 1163. 8 centuries later, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and its gargoyles continue to witness the changes that are shaping the City of Light.

In 1789, the Revolution **ravaged the cathedral. The spire was dismantled, the statues decapitated and the treasures looted. Deprived of its religious function, Notre-Dame was temporarily turned into a wine storehouse, and the idea of tearing it down was even considered… Victor Hugo, who fell in love with the old lady, restored her to her former glory. A literary tribute that helped save it from destruction. Led by the architect Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for the restoration of the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Poissy and the basilique cathédrale de Saint-Denis, the renovation work took 20 years to complete.

Continue your tour of the most beautiful monuments in Paris and its region.