Question 1

What exactly does this Notre-Dame guided tour include and what is the route followed?

Accepted Answer

This Notre-Dame guided tour is a 1h30 walking tour exclusively around the exterior surroundings of the cathedral and Île de la Cité. Your guide covers three main chapters: the night of the Notre-Dame fire and the intervention of the firefighters , the archaeological discoveries of the exhumed sarcophagi under the crossing of the transept, and the behind-the-scenes of the ongoing reconstruction of the cathedral .

Question 2

Does the e-ticket grant access inside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris?

Accepted Answer

No, this tour takes place only outside the monument, due to security measures related to the major reconstruction site. Your e-ticket grants access to the guided group around the surroundings of Notre-Dame and the forecourt of Notre-Dame , where the guide explains the affected areas, the giant scaffolding , and the visible remains from the quays.

Question 3

How do you receive your e-ticket after booking online?

Accepted Answer

Your e-ticket is sent instantly by email upon confirmation of your booking. Simply present the barcode on your smartphone directly to the guide lecturer at the meeting point on the Pont au Double, with no need for printing or queuing.

Question 4

What archaeological discoveries are presented by the guide during the tour?

Accepted Answer

The guide elaborates on the revelations from the excavations conducted under the crossing of the transept, particularly the exhumation of the two lead sarcophagi and fragments of the old medieval rood screen. They explain the investigation techniques used by archaeologists to analyze these retrieved remains without altering them, as well as the results of the anthropological analyses conducted on these exceptional archaeological discoveries .

Question 5

What time and where do we meet for the guided tour?

Accepted Answer

The meeting point is on the Pont au Double , at the corner of Square René Viviani in the 4th arrondissement. Departures are at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure with your e-ticket.

Question 6

Is the Notre-Dame guided tour suitable for families with children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this walking tour around the surroundings of Notre-Dame is perfectly suitable for families. The guide's narrative combines the suspense of the night of the fire , the adventures of the archaeologists , and the secrets of the cathedral's reconstruction : a playful and scientific angle that captivates both children and adults. The entire circuit is accessible to strollers and people with reduced mobility.

Question 7

Is the tour accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the entire circuit takes place on sidewalks and fully accessible public spaces , with no stairs or obstacles. The outdoor tour on the forecourt of Notre-Dame and the quays of Île de la Cité is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

Question 8

Does the outdoor tour take place in case of rain?

Accepted Answer

The outdoor guided tour is maintained in light rain, with guides adapting the route to take advantage of the natural shelters in the area. In case of exceptional weather conditions, the free rescheduling policy applies up to 24 hours before departure.

Question 9

How is this tour different from a simple walk around the cathedral?

Accepted Answer

Without a guide, the surroundings of Notre-Dame remain a construction site. With an official guide lecturer , every detail takes on meaning: the blackened stones testify to the flames' progression, the works reveal the secrets of the reconstruction , and the paving stones of the forecourt hide the exact location of the exhumed sarcophagi . It's the depth of the narrative, supported by physical presence on site, that makes this tour a fundamentally different experience from a free visit.

Question 10

Is the tour conducted only in French?

Accepted Answer

No, slots are offered in either French or English . The group language is selected at the time of online booking. If you have a multilingual group, inquire when ordering to choose the most suitable slot.

Guided Tour: The Mysteries of Notre-Dame de Paris

Practical Info

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Included

Not included

Schedule

Meeting Point