A Pre-Fire Visit to Notre Dame Basilica
About Notre Dame Basilica
Paris’ Notre Dame Basilica is one of the most famous churches in the world and the most famous in Paris. It was completed in 1260 and then restored in 1845. I visited Notre Dame in the spring of 2016 and was amazed by the beautiful stained glass windows, huge Romanesque looking facade, and amazingly detailed sculptures and carvings. Admission to Notre Dame was €5 and definitely worth it. The Cathedral itself was not crowded, but there was a long queue to get inside.
On April 15, 2019, a tragic fire destroyed much of Notre Dame. Although I am happy that I was able to visit Notre Dame before the fire, it saddens me that generations of people will not be able to have the same experience that I did.
A Pre-Fire Visit to Notre Dame - Table of Contents
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My Pre-Fire Visit to Notre Dame
Notre Dame was one of the three major churches that I visited in Paris. My pictures do a major disservice to Notre Dame. I visited Notre Dame in 2016, before I purchased my current camera. The pictures below were taken with an iPhone 5. It was far more spectacular, but due to low lighting, it was hard to capture.
Anytime I visit a house of worship; I try to be as respectful as I possibly can. There were many people lighting candles and praying while I was attempting to take pictures. I made sure that I kept my distance and didn’t disturb them.
Below, are some of the best pictures I was able to take.
Tours and Packages that Include Notre Dame
There are many tours and packages that mention that they stop at Notre Dame. Please check with the tour company before booking any of these tours to see if Notre Dame is still on the itinerary. Currently, as a result of the 2019 fire, Notre Dame can only be seen from the outside. As an affiliate of Viator, if you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
 Notre Dame and Ile de la Cité Tour with Skip the Line Visit of Sainte-Chapelle Combo Tour - $52.60 Discover medieval history on the age-old streets of Paris on this 2.5-hour Île de la Cité and Notre Dame Cathedral Paris Combo tour. Save time and money by visiting two of Paris’ top attractions in one day. Explore Île de la Cité in the center of the Seine River, and gain insight into its 2,000-year history. Stand beneath the imposing towers of Notre Dame Cathedral to admire their Gothic architecture, then head inside with your guide. Beat the lines and enjoy fast-track entry to Sainte-Chapelle, King Louis IX’s 13th-century chapel. |
 Historical Paris Sightseeing Tour Including Notre Dame Cathedral - $82.09 Explore historical areas of Paris by coach and enjoy an in-depth visit to Notre Dame Cathedral on this fascinating sightseeing tour. See and learn about top Paris attractions including Palais Garnier, the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg), the Louvre, Place de la Bastille (Bastille Square) and the Latin Quarter. Depending on the time of year, enjoy a brief Seine River cruise or mini-coach ride to Ile de la Cité, home to Notre Dame Cathedral. Admire the cathedral’s breathtaking Gothic architecture from the outside and step inside to marvel at its grand interior as your guide explains the history and importance of this beloved monument. |
 Paris Super Saver: Small-Group Skip-the-Line Notre-Dame Tower and Louvre Museum - $121.25 Beat the queues and save money at two of the French capital’s top attractions with this small-group Paris Super Saver. Begin with a walking tour of the Île de la Cité before skipping the lines at the UNESCO-listed Notre-Dame Cathedral, where you’ll climb the towers for spectacular city views. Then, follow your guide along the hallowed hallways of the Louvre Museum and admire ancient masterpieces like the ‘Venus de Milo’ and da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa.’ Combine two best-selling tours and make the very most of your Paris vacation. |
 Paris Ile de la Cite Medieval Private Walking Tour: Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie - $137.66 Get to the medieval soul of Paris with a private 4-hour walking tour in the historic heart of the city - the Ile de la Cité. Explore the gothic details and magnificent architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral, inside and out. Get direct VIP access inside the vaulted stone ceilings of the Conciergerie prison and exquisite stained glass interiors of Sainte-Chapelle. Explore the key monuments of the Middle Ages - a time of kings, castles, and criminals - to discover the secrets of Paris’ past. Enjoy an in-depth yet relaxing tour with your private guide. |
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