I see that there are several companies offering a 1.5 hour tour that walks around the exterior and then into the crypt. Anyone have any experience or recommendations to share? Thank you. I'll be there in early June.
Posted by
Loire Valley
824 posts
The crypte archéologique has nothing to do with Notre Dame, except it's on the same island. It's actually partially under the pavement that is the big square in front of the cathedral
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14719 posts
I've done the Crypte Archeologique several times. It's fairly well signed and last time I went they had a virtual reality program at the beginning. I could not make it thru the program because I have a fear of heights and it was so realistic when we were sitting by one of the gargoyles that it was too scary for my chicken self, lol. It's also pretty small and I can't imagine you'd need a guide for this.
Please understand that I am a tour-taker, lol! I love walking tours but want to get the bang for my buck and time!
I'll also recommend booking directly with the walking company instead thru a 3rd party consolidator like Viator or Getyourguide. They charge the companies 20-25% for booking which seems like a lot for a small business.
Do you have some links to the walking tours you are interested in?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you Pam and Simon. I don't have a specific tour guide yet. I've mostly only seen the 3rd party ones that you've referenced and I was trying to avoid them. I'm happy to take recommendations.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1441 posts
I can highly recommend the VR experience, Eternelle Notre Dame - https://www.eternellenotredame.com/en. One located in front of Notre Dame and the other at La Defense. It may not be the real thing, but it is an amazing experience and you see Notre Dame from the inside - out & top to bottom.
Enjoy Paris.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14719 posts
You may be able to get the name of the tour companies on the 3rd party sites. On Viator, at least, they are all listed....I think it's under "additional information" and then scroll down.
I looked at one itinerary by a company called Experience First which does what you describe. It does say it's a "self-guided" tour of the crypt but also says entry is included so they must pony up the 9E entrance fee.
TBH, I'd probably go with this ( EVERY TUESDAY 2.30pm Ile de la Cité and the Medieval Latin Quarter) from Paris Walks for 25E IF you are there on a Tuesday. The Paris Walks guides are professionals and well-educated.
https://www.paris-walks.com/cariboost_files/2024_20JUNE_20WALKS.pdf
It does go over to the Latin Quarter and does not pay your way into the Crypt.
IF you have any interest in WWII in Paris, I can highly recommend the Thursday Paris Walks tour of Paris During the Occupation and Liberation. I've done it twice, once with Brad who holds a PhD in History and once with Christopher who has incredibly deep knowledge of history.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14719 posts
You could also do a DIY with RIck's Audio tour. Here is a link to the map which sadly they have not updated since the fire. You cannot go down the South side of the cathedral as that is a walled off section of the construction zone. You'd just go on the North side of the cathedral to get to #7 on the map, the Deportation Memorial missing #3, 4, 5 and 6 although his narration of 6 probably pertains if you walk down the North side too.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/paris