Visiting the towers of Notre-Dame: tickets, route and tips

Visiting the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris means entering a kind of separate world, suspended between sky and stone above the Île de la Cité. Since the towers reopened in September 2025, the route has been completely redesigned after the 2019 fire: a modernized ascent, previously inaccessible areas, and a direct view of the reconstructed framework.

You no longer just get a "basic" overlook of Paris; you actually move through the very bowels of the monument, between belfries, bells, the cistern courtyard, and the oak "Forest."

In this guide, I explain in detail the new visitor route, what you see at each stage, how to book your tickets, how much admission costs, and for whom the climb up the 424 steps is suitable. The aim is for you to be able to decide, with all the information you need, whether this climb up the towers of Notre-Dame deserves a place in your stay in Paris… and how to make the most of it once you are there.

A bit of history: why the towers of Notre-Dame have fascinated people for 8 centuries

The towers of Notre-Dame de Paris have dominated the Île de la Cité since the Middle Ages and concentrate within themselves a large part of the architectural, religious, and cultural history of the city.

The construction of the towers, a Gothic feat in the heart of Paris

Notre-Dame was built between 1163 and 1345 on the Île de la Cité in Paris, and its towers were raised during the first half of the 13th century, at a time when erecting two stone masses 69 m high (about 226 ft) represented a major technical achievement.

This is the golden age of Gothic architecture, the era of the great cathedrals that reshaped the urban landscape. Notre-Dame perfectly embodies these architectural trends, with its flying buttresses, pinnacles, and large rose windows, but its strategic position in the very heart of Paris also gives it a political and symbolic dimension.

The towers in fact offer a view over the entire center of power that the Palais de la Cité then represents. Without officially being watchtowers, they serve as the "eyes of the city", making it possible to observe activity around the island: traffic on the Seine, crowd movements, the first signs of fires. The bells also play a leading role, able to alert the population in case of fire, flooding, or riots.

Viollet-le-Duc, the chimeras and the invention of a dreamed Middle Ages

When you look at the towers up close, you quickly notice a mix of medieval sections and 19th-century additions, the legacy of the major restoration campaign led by Viollet-le-Duc after the damage caused by the Revolution.

At that time, monuments weren't just "repaired": they were also reinvented, in keeping with the romantic vision of the Middle Ages. Viollet-le-Duc added many elements that hadn't existed originally, such as the famous chimeras watching over Paris from above, as well as a new, richly ornamented spire to replace the medieval one, surrounded by statues of the 12 apostles.

A fun detail: the apostle Saint Thomas has the features of Viollet-le-Duc himself, a discreet way of signing his work in stone. The architect also replaced damaged pinnacles and finials with more symmetrical versions, enriched the decoration with animals and foliage, and created an ornamental balustrade at the base of the spire.

He summed up his philosophy in a well-known sentence: "To restore a building is not to maintain it, to repair it; it is to re-establish it in a state that may never have existed." This creative approach explains why the towers you see today are as much a medieval work as a 19th-century project.

From Victor Hugo to cartoons: the towers in the collective imagination

If the towers of Notre-Dame are so fascinating, it's not only because of their architectural qualities. Literature, and later cinema and cartoons, have played a major role in building the myth.

In 1831, when Victor Hugo published his novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the cathedral was in a worrying state and some people were even considering demolishing it. The story of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell ringer perched among the bells, completely changed how people saw the monument. The book's success rekindled Parisians' attachment to their cathedral and directly contributed to the decision to restore it.

Since then, the towers have appeared again and again, from romantic engravings to film adaptations and animated movies. This accumulation of images means that when you climb the steps of the south tower today, you feel as if you're following in the footsteps of fictional characters just as much as those of the original builders.

The new route through the towers since 2025: ascent, safety and scenography

Since reopening in September 2025, visits to the towers of Notre-Dame have followed a new route that is smoother, safer and more immersive, while preserving the core of the historical experience: climbing the 424 steps, enjoying the panorama and discovering the belfries.

Access, tickets, and security checks: how to enter the towers

Access to the towers is now by online reservation only for a specific time slot, with a mandatory security check at the start of the route, directly on the cathedral forecourt.

The ticketing system has been simplified compared to the period before the fire: no more waiting line at the foot of the towers, and visitor flows are regulated in advance thanks to quotas per time slot. On-site, the dedicated entrance is on the right side of the cathedral when you're facing it from the forecourt. You go through a fairly quick security checkpoint, then you access the base of the south tower directly, where the climb begins.

During my visit, I really felt the difference with the old system: less shuffling forward, schedules kept, and a more reassuring sense of control, despite a necessarily heightened level of security.

A better organized climb, with signage, audio, and models

The new route stands out above all for its much clearer scenography, which guides visitors from the bottom of the stairs all the way to the belfries.

The staircases are better lit, and discreet signage lets you see how far you have come, which helps psychologically when you are climbing the 424 steps. The towers also have their own digital visitor guide, "Le compagnon des tours," accessible on a smartphone in about a dozen languages. It does not replace an in-depth guided tour but gives useful reference points for each space, indicating what to look at and why these places matter.

In the lower room of the south tower, the former shop has been redesigned as a true interpretation landing, with several scale models of the cathedral showing the different levels you are going to go through. A sound piece, Souffles et Scories by Valérie Vivancos, accompanies the descent of the north tower and adds a sensory dimension to the end of the route.

Taken together, it creates the sense of a better-paced visit: the spaces follow one another logically, group circulation is smoother, and I found the comfort of the visit clearly superior to what it was before 2019.

What you see during a visit to the towers of Notre-Dame

The visit lasts on average 45–50 minutes and follows a route of about 424 steps, which starts at the foot of the south tower, climbs up to the belvedere, then goes back down through the cistern courtyard and the north tower.

The lower room of the south tower: first impressions and models

The climb begins in the lower room of the south tower, a deliberately bare space where the Gothic architecture is revealed in all its mass: large piers, thick walls, ribbed vault rising to 14 meters (about 46 ft).

This is now where you will find the towers' shop, combined with an interpretation space. You can look at several cross-section models of the cathedral, very useful for understanding how the spaces are layered: nave, galleries, framework, towers. This concrete overview makes the rest of the visit much easier to follow, because you see where you are in the overall "volume" of the building.

Historically, this room was used as a chapel. You can still make out in the floor and higher up some trapdoors that allowed the bells to pass through, visible traces of the very direct link between liturgical space and the practical use of the towers.

The quadrilobe room and the oak staircase: a contemporary masterpiece

As you keep climbing, you reach the quadrilobe room, named for its openings in the shape of quadrilobes—those four-arched motifs inscribed in a circle, typical of Rayonnant Gothic.

The cathedral's largest bells, the great bells Marie and Emmanuel, are located just above. In the 19th century, this area was restored with the installation of a solid oak belfry to absorb the powerful vibrations caused when the bells are set in motion.

Since the post-fire reopening, the room has contained one of the highlights of the visit: a monumental solid-oak double-helix staircase, which now connects the quadrilobe room to the upper levels.

The figures are dizzying: 178 steps, 21 meters high (about 69 ft), around 20 tonnes (about 22 short tons), more than 1,200 pieces of wood fitted into the south tower, 10,600 hours of work (including 1,400 hours of design and 9,200 hours of fabrication), and the involvement of around twenty craftspeople (carpenters, cabinetmakers, apprentices, and an art blacksmith) from the company MDB (Métiers du Bois).

I have to admit that woodwork has always fascinated me, but here it reaches another level. The oak grain, the precision of the joinery, the very soft light gliding over the steps… I found this staircase both very beautiful and very moving. You can tangibly feel the element of contemporary creation that has been woven into the monument after the fire, with an obvious respect for the spirit of the place.

The top of the south tower: historic belvedere and panoramic view

At the top of the oak staircase, a passage running between the belfry beams leads to the belvedere of the south tower, which has offered one of the most emblematic views of Paris since the Middle Ages.

Access to this panoramic platform is now more tightly controlled: staff bring visitors up in small groups, with time on site limited to about 5 minutes. It may feel short, but it's the compromise they've found to let as many people as possible enjoy the view while still ensuring safety.

The platform is still protected by fine mesh fencing, which can be a bit frustrating for photography enthusiasts, even though, with a bit of patience, you can still find interesting angles. In return, you get an unobstructed view over the Left Bank: the Panthéon, the Sorbonne, the Observatoire, Saint-Sulpice church, the Eiffel Tower… the whole landscape unfolds along the Seine.

Above all, it's a chance to rediscover the architecture of Notre-Dame itself from a unique angle: the slender silhouette of the reconstructed spire, surrounded by its copper angels, the new lead roof, the flying buttresses, the Seine encircling the Île de la Cité. You can still spot a few cranes and some scaffolding, like a discreet signature of the reconstruction work, but your gaze is quickly drawn away by the view.

Turning all the way around, you see the rooftops of Paris, the Montmartre hill and the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, the Tour Saint-Jacques, La Défense, the Grand Palais… there are so many details to take in that the minutes fly by.

I won't pretend otherwise: I would have liked to stay longer at the top, to have time to compose my photos and simply take it all in. But even with this limited time, it's still more than enough to sense how special this viewpoint is.

The Emmanuel and Marie bells: the great voices of Notre-Dame

On the way back down from the belvedere, the route brings you very close to the cathedral's two large bells, set into the timber framework.

You first catch sight of the great Emmanuel bell, cast in 1686, which weighs 13 tonnes (about 14.3 short tons) and is still today the second-largest bell in France after the one in the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. Imagining that this mass of bronze was cast under Louis XIV, and that it still rings today for major occasions, gives the place a very tangible sense of historical depth.

Right next to it is the Marie bell, a "young" 2012 bell made from older bells that were out of tune. It only swings for particular moments in the liturgical or national calendar: Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, November 11, major feast days. Seeing them installed like this in their oak belfry, caught in a tangle of beams, helps you better understand both the sonic and structural dimension of the cathedral.

The cistern courtyard: architecture, chimeras, and a view of the timber frame

The route then takes you to an area that used to be closed to the public: the cistern courtyard, tucked into the heart of the towers' architectural system.

Historically, this courtyard was used to collect rainwater and store it in case of fire, a role that obviously takes on a very particular resonance after 2019. Today, it reveals itself like a small stone theater: an elegant colonnade decorated with foliage, gargoyles, chimeras, and a gable wall topped with a sculpture of an angel blowing a trumpet.

The original angel, damaged during the fire, had to be replaced with a copy, but the whole ensemble still has a very powerful presence. And above all, the cistern courtyard is home to what, for me, had long been an almost dreamlike moment: direct visual access to the reconstructed timber frame.

Three glass openings let you admire the new oak "Forest," which replaces the medieval framework that disappeared in the flames. You can see the rows of beams, the logic of the structure, the precision of the joints.

What surprised me most was the smell: despite the glass, you can clearly make out the scent of dry wood, as if the timber frame were breathing right next to you. It is an olfactory experience that makes the reconstruction feel very tangible.

The north tower, its belfry, and the descent back to the city

After the cistern courtyard, the visit continues in the north tower, which reveals another, more recent side of the cathedral.

The north tower houses a second belfry with eight bells installed in 2013, added to complete the bell ensemble and restore a sound harmony closer to Notre-Dame's original state. This part was very extensively restored after the fire, which you can sense in the freshness of the wood and certain structural elements.

It is also in this area that you can see the reconstructed dials of the former Collin clock from 1867, completely destroyed in 2019 and then rebuilt identically thanks to detailed surveys and the involvement of several specialist workshops.

Finally, a staircase gradually reconnects you with the city: in just a few dozen steps, you leave the world of the framework and belfries to return to the foot of the tower and the lively forecourt, with the feeling of coming back from a suspended world.

The great absentee: the Galerie des Chimères

The main absence in the new route, for those who knew the visit before 2019, remains the fact that you no longer cross the Galerie des Chimères.

In the past, this outdoor passage allowed you to walk along the western façade, right next to the chimeras imagined by Viollet-le-Duc, including the famous pensive strix. You could then play with perspectives, framing these fantastical creatures with the Paris skyline in the background, and it was one of the most popular photo spots in the capital.

Today, this gallery is no longer included in the tower visit, mainly for conservation and safety reasons. It is a real loss for photographers and for anyone who enjoyed this slightly theatrical dimension of the route. In my view, it does not take away from the overall interest of the visit, but it is better to be aware of it to avoid disappointment if you come with pre-fire images in mind.

Practical information for visiting the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris

The visit to the towers requires a minimum of preparation: mandatory reservation, physical constraints to anticipate, limited time at the top. By getting your bearings in advance, you will feel more at ease on the day.

Booking tickets: where, when, and how to buy them

To visit the towers of Notre-Dame, you need to book a timed e-ticket online before you arrive, as no tickets are sold on site.

Reservations are made on the website of the Centre des monuments nationaux, where you select a specific day and time slot, then the ticket category (full price, reduced, free admission). The ticket can be shown on your smartphone or printed out. Without a valid e-ticket for the correct time slot, access to the towers is refused, even if you are already on the forecourt.

When I went, most late-morning and afternoon slots were fully booked several days in advance, especially at weekends. I therefore recommend planning your climb as soon as your dates in Paris are set, especially if you are aiming for a very popular period such as Advent, Christmas, or school holidays.

Prices in 2026, free admission, and Paris Museum Pass

In 2026, the full price for visiting the towers of Notre-Dame is €16 per adult (about $17–18 / £14–15), with a number of situations giving entitlement to free admission, subject to availability within the quotas.

The daily free tickets are notably intended for:

• People under 18, whatever their country of residence;
• Young people aged 18 to 25 who are nationals of the European Union or legal residents in France;
• People with disabilities and their companion;
• Jobseekers (certificate dated within the last 6 months);
• Recipients of certain minimum social benefits.

Even if you qualify for free admission, booking is still mandatory in order to obtain a time slot. If the quota of free tickets is reached for a given time period, only paid tickets remain available.

Prices may be adjusted over the years, but the overall range remains comparable to that of other major Parisian monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe or Sainte-Chapelle.

Visit duration and typical flow on site

The visit to the towers lasts on average 45 to 50 minutes, including the ascent, the stop at the belvedere, the passage through the cistern courtyard, and the descent via the north tower.

In practical terms, here is how a typical time slot unfolds:

• Welcome at the foot of the south tower at the time indicated on your ticket, with e-ticket check and security screening;
• Gradual climb via the lower room, the quadrilobe room, and the oak staircase, with a few natural pauses on the landings;
• Access to the belvedere of the south tower in small groups, with about 5 minutes spent on the panoramic platform;
• Return via the bourdon bells, the cistern courtyard, and the north tower, then descent back to the parvis.

The pace is quite well calibrated: you do not have time to linger indefinitely at the top, but you also do not feel rushed during the climb. The main thing to keep in mind is that this is not a free-roaming stroll: there is a set direction of visit and an overall pace of progression largely linked to the group.

Physical conditions, accessibility, and safety

The climb up the towers is reserved for people in good physical condition, as it involves 424 steps, about 69 meters (around 226 ft) of elevation gain, and several narrow passages.

There is no elevator, no water point, and no restrooms along the way. Some sections of the staircase are particularly tight (down to about 45 cm wide, around 18 in), which can be uncomfortable if you are claustrophobic or have limited mobility.

The visit is not recommended:

• For people suffering from vertigo or balance disorders;
• For people with heart failure or significant respiratory conditions;
• For pregnant women;
• For young children, especially under 6 years old.

Given these constraints, strollers are not allowed, and the visit is generally recommended from about age 7, when children can manage the climb and follow instructions without difficulty.

When to go up the towers: season, opening hours, and light

There is no truly "bad" time to go up the towers of Notre-Dame, but some time slots are more pleasant depending on the season, your tolerance for heat or cold, and your interest in photography.

In terms of crowds, late morning and early afternoon slots are often the most sought-after, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Visitor numbers are nevertheless regulated by the reservation system, which limits the impact of any major rush at a given time.

For the light, I found that:

• The morning often offers a softer, less hazy atmosphere, ideal for clearly seeing the monuments on the Left Bank;
• Late afternoon can be beautiful when golden light settles over the rooftops of Paris and the Seine;
• Very sunny summer days can feel a bit overwhelming on the platform, with heat amplified by the stone and sometimes strong wind.

The main constraint is that you book several weeks in advance, which makes it difficult to fine-tune your expectations based on the weather. It is up to you to decide whether you prefer a time slot that fits best into your overall Paris itinerary, or a particular time of day that you especially enjoy for panoramic views.

How to dress and what to bring for the visit

To enjoy the towers comfortably, it helps to choose clothing suited to the season and to the type of effort involved in the climb.

In winter, opt for warm clothes and a windbreaker, as part of the route is exposed and the top platform can be very windy. A thin beanie and gloves can make the experience much more pleasant.

In summer, choose light, breathable clothing, as well as sturdy, already broken-in shoes. It is strongly recommended to bring a small bottle of water, especially since there are no water points or fountains along the way.

In all cases:

• Avoid bulky bags and luggage, which are not allowed on site and for which there is no dedicated cloakroom;
• Opt for a small backpack or a crossbody bag worn in front of you in the narrow staircases;
• Consider bringing a scarf or light shawl to protect yourself from the wind at the top.

In the event of truly unfavorable weather conditions (strong winds, heatwaves, thunderstorms), some areas may be temporarily closed for safety reasons, including the belvedere. This remains rare, but it is something to keep in mind if your stay falls in the middle of summer or during winter windstorms.

Comparison: Notre-Dame towers, Eiffel Tower, or Sacré-Cœur dome?

If you do not have much time in Paris, it can be useful to compare climbing the towers of Notre-Dame with other major viewpoints, such as the Eiffel Tower or the dome of Sacré-Cœur, to decide what best matches your expectations.

Which climb to choose based on your traveler profile?

Each panorama has its own personality: Notre-Dame offers a very architectural and intimate experience, the Eiffel Tower highlights its status as a global icon, while the Sacré-Cœur dome lets you admire Paris from the top of the Montmartre hill in a calmer atmosphere. Here is a comparison table to help you decide.

Is it worth climbing the towers if you have already visited Notre-Dame or other viewpoints?

Even if you already visited Notre-Dame before the fire, or have already seen Paris from other heights such as the Sacré-Cœur, the Montparnasse Tower or the Eiffel Tower, climbing the Notre-Dame towers in 2026 offers an experience that is truly different and stands apart.

A much more intimate visit than the cathedral nave

The nave of Notre-Dame, even after its reopening, remains a very busy space, marked by the constant flow of visitors, worshippers, and groups. The towers, on the other hand, give access to a more intimate relationship with the monument.

The recent restoration has opened to the public spaces that were previously inaccessible, such as the cistern courtyard or the view over the wooden frame. You literally walk between stone and wood, where the monument stands, is reinforced, and repaired.

What struck me was this feeling of entering the "back" of the cathedral, of seeing what usually remains hidden: the logic of the structures, how the beams take on the weight of the vaults, the way the bells are integrated into the architecture. Some landings are surprisingly quiet: you can find yourself almost alone there, with the feeling of a silent, face-to-face encounter with the building.

Another way to see Paris from above

From a panoramic point of view, the towers of Notre-Dame are neither the highest nor the most "spectacular" in terms of statistics, but the quality of the view is still remarkable.

From the south tower, you look out over the Seine, the Île de la Cité, and a whole constellation of Parisian churches: Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais in the foreground, the Tour Saint-Jacques a bit farther back, then Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur on the horizon. The spire rises almost within arm's reach, with that blend of modernity and historical faithfulness that characterizes its reconstruction.

Without being a "breathtaking" panorama, it offers a view that tells a story: that of a cathedral that almost disappeared, that was rebuilt using centuries-old know-how and contemporary methods, and that still holds a central place in the Parisian skyline.

My opinion: who the climb up the towers is really worth it for

If I had to sum it up, I would say that the climb up the towers of Notre-Dame is especially worth it if:

• You are interested in architecture, restoration projects, and artisanal craftsmanship;
• You have already seen Notre-Dame "from the inside" and would like to discover its hidden side, the world of the framework and the belfries;
• You are looking for a viewpoint over Paris that has meaning, not just a "nice photo";
• Your physical condition allows you to tackle the 424 steps without stress.

Coming down from the towers, I felt I had come close to something rare, both powerful and fragile: the way a monument that is several centuries old keeps evolving, transforming, repairing itself. If your body allows it, I really encourage you to experience this at least once.

Traveler's memo for visiting the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about visiting the towers: tickets, prices, duration, physical constraints, and practical details.

Climbing the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris after the 2019 fire means discovering a monument that is at once wounded, restored, and reinvented. The new route, introduced in 2025, takes you from the lower hall to the great bells, from the belvedere to the cistern courtyard, with the highlight being this privileged view of the reconstructed oak "Forest." You come away with a more nuanced sense of what a Gothic cathedral really is: a complex machine where every beam, every bell, every staircase plays its part.

If your physical condition allows it, I would encourage you to set aside a time slot for this during your stay in Paris. The visit requires a bit of effort, but in return it offers an experience that is at once historical, sensory, and deeply human, in direct contact with one of the most emblematic monuments in Europe.