Notre Dame Just Reopened Its Towers — Here’s Everything Americans Need to Know

Notre-Dame has reopened, but much of what you have heard about visiting it is already out of date. The towers have just reopened too, and there is a lot of confusion about what is free and what is not. In this video we visit Notre-Dame with our guide Walid, from the square out front to the interior, the treasury most people miss and finally the 424-step climb up the Notre-Dame towers. It is everything Americans need to know before they go.

The square and the cathedral

Start on the square in front, home to Point Zero, the spot from which distances to Paris are measured. Entry to the cathedral is free, and free time-slot reservations open 72 hours before your visit, though you do not need one. You can visit during mass, with entry in small groups, and modest clothing is expected. Take time at the central portal, the Portal of the Last Judgment, and look for the old rooster from the spire, found in the ruins after the fire. Inside, the cathedral feels far brighter than before the restoration.

The treasury and the towers

  • The treasury, behind the Crown of Thorns, costs 12 euros (price from when we filmed) and is worth it if you love sacred art, including items from Napoleon’s coronation.
  • The towers are timed-ticket only, bought online, with no elevator and about 424 steps in total.
  • The climb is split into stages with information stops, gargoyle views and a look at the bells.
  • The stairs are narrow and not wheelchair accessible, and we would think twice with young children.
  • At the top you get views of Île Saint-Louis, Montmartre, the Pantheon and the Eiffel Tower.

Our verdict

Even with a sore leg, the climb was worth every step. The cathedral itself is worth your visit on its own, and the treasury and towers add a lot if you have the time and the legs for it.

To visit like we did, book a guided Notre-Dame tour. Our Paris Hotel Guide lists 125 hotels by neighborhood, and our selection of the best museums in Paris will help with the rest of your days. For arrival, see our recommended Paris airport transfers, and plan everything else with our Paris Guide Bundle.