Make Time for Notre Dame Cathedral

Without a doubt, no vacation to Paris is complete without a stop at Notre Dame, the gothic cathedral located on the Ile de la Cite.  It loomed large and darkly magnificent ahead as you crossed the bridge onto Ile de la Cite.  However, a recent cleaning in the last few years as it less dark than it had been.  The Cathedral is a working cathedral and the church for the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris.  The cathedral is an example of classic French Gothic style.

Notre Dame is a stop on your Paris vacation do savor.  Because not only do you want to explore the inside of the incredible cathedral, you also need to make time to wander around the outside as well.   Make sure to be nearby when the five bells chime. This is Paris’ version of the chiming of Big Ben in London. Seeing Notre Dame lit up in the evening is also a wonderful experience.  It is something that you can walk to depending upon which hotel you are staying in or as part of a night time ride through the city in a taxi.  It’s also a great place to have a picnic and take a break from a day’s worth of Paris sightseeing.

When considering when to visit Notre Dame, this is one of the stops on your Paris vacation that needs less planning them some others.  It is raree that there are long lines or waits to get into the cathedral.  For those interested in learning more about the church, audio tours are available at the cathedral.  If interested in guided tours one will find guides available throughout the day.

The cathedral is open every day from 8am to 6:45 pm and slightly later on the weekends.  Services schedules can be found online at Notre Dame’s website.