Notre-Dame reopened to the public on 7 December 2024 after a five-and-a-half-year restoration, and today the fully restored cathedral is open again — free to enter, with the bell towers reopened in September 2025. The building that greets visitors now is cleaner and brighter than the one that burned, its restored stone and light drawing gasps from people who knew it before. Here’s the story of how it came back, and exactly what you can see today.
The Fire That Stopped the World
On 15 April 2019, a spark beneath the roof sent flames tearing through the 860-year-old Gothic cathedral. The roof collapsed. The wooden spire — added in the 19th century by the architect Viollet-le-Duc, in place since 1859 — toppled into the nave. Millions watched live, unsure whether the whole structure would survive the night.
It did. The towers held, the great rose windows survived, and much of the art was saved. But the damage was immense, and the question that followed was daunting: how do you rebuild an 860-year-old masterpiece?
The Reconstruction: Five Years, 2,000 Artisans
What followed was one of the most ambitious restoration projects of modern times.
More than 2,000 artisans and carpenters — carpenters, stonemasons, roofers, restorers — worked to return the cathedral to its pre-fire state, in a project costing around $760 million, funded by donations that poured in from around the world.
The decision was made to rebuild faithfully: the spire and roof were reconstructed identically to Viollet-le-Duc’s design, using traditional techniques and, for the roof frame, oak timber worked much as it would have been centuries ago. This wasn’t a modern reinterpretation — it was a painstaking act of restoration, returning the cathedral to what it had been.
The result, reopened after five and a half years, is a Notre-Dame that many find looks better than it has in living memory: the cleaned pale stone and restored interior have brought back a brightness the soot-darkened cathedral had lost.
What You Can Visit Today
Here’s the current state of access — the practical heart of planning a visit.
The Cathedral Interior — Open and Free
The main interior is fully open, and entry is free. Visitors can walk the nave, the choir, and the chapels, taking in the restored frescoes, paintings, and objects, the new layout, and the famous rose windows.
Because of the numbers, the cathedral now guides visitors along a set itinerary rather than letting them wander freely — a path designed to help people understand the building and its history.
To skip the queues, reserve a free timed-entry slot on the official Notre-Dame website before you go. Entry is free either way, but the reservation saves you the long peak-hour line.
The Bell Towers — Reopened September 2025
The towers reopened on 20 September 2025, after being closed since the fire. Climbing them — the ascent of the North Tower to the chimera gallery, past the famous gargoyles — is once again one of the great Paris experiences, with a 360° panorama over the city from the top.
The towers require a separate paid, timed ticket, booked online, and it’s the reservation most worth securing in advance. Expect some wait even with a booking.
The Archaeological Crypt — A Separate Visit
Beneath the square in front of the cathedral, the Archaeological Crypt reveals layers of Paris’s history going back to Roman times. It’s a separate, ticketed entrance, open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays), and pairs well with a cathedral visit on any day except Monday.
At a Glance
| What | Access | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral interior | Open, timed reservation recommended | Free |
| Bell towers | Open (since Sept 2025) | Paid, book online |
| Archaeological Crypt | Open Tue–Sun | Paid, separate |
A note on the pace of change: restoration is still finishing in some corners — new stained glass for several south-aisle chapels was planned for installation, and details continue to be completed. Access is being expanded step by step, so it’s always worth checking the official site for the latest before you go.
How to Plan Your Visit
- Book the free interior slot on the official website to skip the worst of the queue.
- Book the towers separately and early — it’s the ticket that sells out.
- Go on a weekday morning for the smallest crowds. Some evenings have extended hours, which can be quieter.
- Pair it with the Île de la Cité. Notre-Dame sits at the heart of the island where Paris began, steps from Sainte-Chapelle and the Seine.
Notre-Dame anchors the Île de la Cité, and it’s a natural stop on a riverside walk — our guide to walking along the Seine covers the route past it, taking in the island and the bridges around it. On a short trip, our two-day Paris itinerary places the cathedral on the first morning, when the island is at its quietest.
For a fuller sense of how it fits with the city’s other essentials, see our guide to the best things to do in Paris for first-time visitors, and for the tours available in the city, our Paris tours.
FAQ
Is Notre-Dame open to visitors now?
Yes. Notre-Dame reopened on 7 December 2024 after its post-fire restoration, and the interior is fully open. Entry is free, and reserving a timed slot on the official website helps you avoid the peak-hour queue.
Can you climb the towers of Notre-Dame?
Yes. The bell towers reopened on 20 September 2025 after being closed since the fire. The climb to the chimera gallery, past the gargoyles, offers a panorama over Paris. It requires a separate paid ticket booked online.
Is it free to visit Notre-Dame?
Entry to the cathedral interior is free. The bell towers and the Archaeological Crypt each require a separate paid ticket.
Do you need to book Notre-Dame in advance?
For the interior, a free timed reservation is recommended to skip the queue but not mandatory. For the towers, advance booking is strongly advised — it’s the ticket most likely to sell out.
How long did the Notre-Dame restoration take?
Five and a half years. The cathedral was gutted by fire on 15 April 2019 and reopened on 7 December 2024, after work by more than 2,000 artisans costing around $760 million.
Was Notre-Dame rebuilt exactly as it was?
Largely, yes. The spire and roof were reconstructed faithfully to Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century design using traditional techniques. The restoration aimed to return the cathedral to its pre-fire state rather than reinterpret it.
What’s different about Notre-Dame after the restoration?
The most striking change is the brightness — the cleaned pale stone and restored interior have brought back a luminosity the soot-darkened cathedral had lost. There’s also a new visitor layout and restored art throughout.
