I did not get a reservation to visit Notre Dame. However, I've read that if you go at the opening hours, are the lines really long? Just wondering if anyone has experience with this? I have an afternoon tour on Sunday, 9/13, then a 10:30 morning tour on Tuesday, 9/15,(my only full free day in Paris).
Please advise on what you have experienced.
Thanks and regards,
Mary Ann
Posted by
Washington, DC
262 posts
We did not have reservations for Notre Dame and just queued in the line. Granted this was early December in mid-afternoon, but we were in within 15 minutes. The line moved quickly even though it looked long.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2682 posts
Most reports of those that didn't have a reservation for Notre Dame was that the lines weren't too bad, maybe 10 minutes or so. Generally lines are shorter earlier in the day. By 10am they start to get a bit longer.
That said, I don't believe tickets have opened up for September 13 yet.
Posted by
Seattle
448 posts
We were walking by Notre Dame at just past 8 am last September, saw there was no line, and went in. We did have to "walk the maze" to get in, but would've had to do that regardless.
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3355 posts
Go to mass 6 PM. No bar to entry. Listen to the soprano - she's a wonder.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
2054 posts
We entered Notre Dame last summer. Long line, maybe 200 people, but the line moves fast. Our wait time was 10-15 minutes.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17542 posts
When I went last April I found that the cruise ship tours arrived at about 10 and the lines got longer for a while. I was ahead of them and it took about 7 minutes of continuous "shuffling" to get to the door. Very easy. Just avoid 10A on the dot. Go either before or wait until later.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
3154 posts
May last year. Long line but it moved at a slow walk pace and we were in in just a few minures
Posted by
OP
26 posts
Thank you all for you great advice! Hoping for short waits despite potential long lines!
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
797 posts
From https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/visit/reservation-free/
“To make your visit more enjoyable, you can book a slot online for free a few hours before your visit. This is entirely optional and is intended solely to streamline entry and reduce waiting times. Bookings open only a few hours before your visit: it is not possible to book several days in advance. Bookings are primarily intended for visitors already in Paris or nearby. New time slots are added very regularly to allow as many people as possible to discover Notre Dame.”