Paris Notre Dame

We were there the end of May without timed tickets. It was in the afternoon and the lines looked really long but moved smoothly. It just meant it was pretty crowded inside. Have you done the Jacquemart Andre Museum? We got timed tickets the night before for a noon time slot (am was sold out) and really loved it. They are very careful about how many people are inside at once, so it wasn’t too crowded.
We also went to the Musée Carnevalet close to opening time and there was no line to get in and it wasn’t crowded at that time. It did seem like crowds were increasing as we left.

Well no one knows because this is the first july since it has opened up. I would get reservations. We had no trouble getting them at midnight two nights out when they are released but I don't know if they will still be doing that in July. With reservations in May we walked in with no line; the unticketed line was blocks long but moved swiftly -- inside the church was cheek by jowl as people poured in in a steady stream. It will be jammed up.

It is possible that the tower will be open by then and if so you will want to do that and will want to reserve for that. Keep your eye out for information on reservations for entry and tower on their web site and then go ahead and reserve.

We were there earlier this month. I was not able to get tickets ahead of time. We joined the loooong line, which kept moving, and we were inside in 35 minutes. No advance ticket is necessary.

Hi! It depends on what day of the week, and at what time you're planning to visit. Reservations are not required, but since you'll be visiting during peak season, I would strongly recommend reserving a time slot in advance. Especially if visiting Notre Dame is super important to you, it's better to reserve a time slot just in case, or else it's possible you'll have to wait a long time to enter (it could be as long as a few hours in peak season).

For the lowest crowds, I recommend visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

If you're visiting in the morning, I recommend visiting before 10:00am. Notre Dame opens at 7:50am* on weekdays and at 8:15am on weekends.

• Please note that for the unforeseeable future, the ambulatory (the back half of the cathedral) and the back chapels don't open until 8:45am during the week.

If you're available on a Thursday evening, I recommend visiting between 8:00pm and 9:00pm (the ideal time to visit is around 8:30pm). This is generally a more peaceful time to visit! Notre Dame is open until 10:00pm on Thursday, but everyone has to be out before 10:00pm and the ambulatory (the back half of the cathedral) and the back chapels close at 9:30pm, and we start clearing people out the building around 9:40pm/9:45pm, so I recommend entering at least by 9:00pm, so that your visit isn't rushed!

• Please note that Notre Dame will close early (at 7:00pm) on Thursday, July 3rd.

Time slots can be reserved on Notre Dame’s official free online reservation system, for dates up to 2 days in advance:

• The first batch of new time slots is released at midnight (Paris time), for the date 2 days ahead. For example: At midnight (Paris time) on October 1st, time slots are released for October 3rd. Any dates beyond October 3rd will automatically be greyed out/appear to be full. This first batch can fill up within ~10 minutes of being released, so I recommend opening the reservation system around 11:50pm. For the fastest connection, I recommend accessing it on your computer using Chrome.

• A second batch of new/additional "same day" time slots are released 4 hours in advance. For example: At 5:00am (Paris time), new time slots are released for 9:00am for that same day. At 5:30am, new time slots are released for 9:30am, etc. However, there are certain hours when no time slots are ever offered, therefore no new time slots are released 4 hours in advance of those hours. For example: No time slots are offered for 12:00pm, therefore no new time slots will be released at 8:00am. The availability of these time slots is based on the planned and/or current capacity available inside the cathedral, and are not guaranteed.

Time slots are offered in 15 minute intervals. This is meant to help spread out the flow of visitors coming in/out, but it doesn't mean that you're limited to only 15 minutes to visit!

• Monday to Friday, time slots are generally offered between 9:00am and 10:45am and between 1:00pm and 4:15pm. On Thursday, additional time slots are generally offered between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

• On Saturday, time slots are generally offered between 9:30am and 10:45am and between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

• On Sunday, time slots are generally offered between 1:30pm and 4:00pm.

Not every time slot will be offered every day, and no time slots are offered during Mass times. Which time slots get released/are available for each day is all dependent on what's happening at Notre Dame on that day, and who else is scheduled to attend (ie. pilgrim groups, school groups, international diplomats/government officials, etc. get priority over tourists).

Visitors are still allowed to enter outside of the hours that time slots are offered, and during Mass times, by waiting in the "Access without reservations" queue, which is on the left side of Notre Dame (if you're facing it), and is marked by blue signage/banners.

It is possible that the tower will be open by then and if so you will want to do that and will want to reserve for that.

Hi janettravels44!

You are correct that advanced reservations will be required for the bell towers, however, they unfortunately won't be open yet in July. The exact reopening date is still TBC, but as of now, it's estimated to be around mid/second half of September.

Once again, thank you, Emily. When the towers do open for booking, do you know where online or in person tickets can be purchased? TIA

Notre Dame has a web site where you can reserve tickets. When the Towers are open, they will be sold on that web site.

35 minutes is a lot longer than I am willing to wait in line if it can be avoided. definitely try to get tickets for ND entry.