Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris?
What makes it 77% Kids-Friendly: Kids like gargoyles, rose windows, and the family quiz app, but absence of on-site toilets, stroller parking, and the exhausting bell-tower stairs require careful timing and breaks.
Positives:
- Free Entry for Kids: Children under 12 enter the cathedral and crypt free of charge.
- Engaging Guided Tour: Weekday family tours at 2:30 pm use storytelling to captivate young visitors.
- Family App Features: The official app offers quizzes and audio in child-friendly language.
Challenges:
- Steep Stairs: The bell tower climb has 400 narrow steps—plan for breaks and assess younger kids’ stamina.
- No Restrooms Inside: No toilets or baby-changing facilities are available inside; use public toilets on Rue d’Arcole first.
What is Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris?
- A 12th-century Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in Paris, renowned for its flying buttresses, rose windows and sculptural façades
- A Roman Catholic church consecrated in 1345 that serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris
- An architectural landmark featuring twin towers, ornate gargoyles and intricately carved portals exemplifying medieval craftsmanship
What is so special about Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris for with kids?
- Free admission and kids under 12 enter free
- Interactive family app tour with quizzes and audio
- Bell tower climb reveals gargoyles and city panoramas
- Archaeological crypt offers a fun underground exploration
- Optional Medieval Mystery treasure hunt for hands-on adventure
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Allows time to explore the nave, join the family guided tour, climb the bell tower, and visit the crypt without rushing children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Sculpted Portals:
Discover biblical scenes carved into the three main doors.
Tip: Use the family tour in the app to unlock fun quizzes about each carving.
Bell Tower Climb:
Ascend 400 steps to see gargoyles up close and panoramic city views.
Tip: Hold children’s hands on stairs, rest at landings, and point out landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Family App Tour:
Follow a child-friendly route with simple texts, audio stories, and quizzes.
Tip: Download the app beforehand and bring earbuds; use offline mode to save data.
Archaeological Crypt:
Explore Roman-era ruins below the cathedral.
Tip: Turn it into a mini treasure hunt by asking kids to spot ancient columns and pottery.
Medieval Mystery Game:
Join a paid treasure-hunt tour around Notre-Dame.
Tip: Book online in advance; best for ages 7+ and takes about 2 hours with fun code-breaking.
When is the best time to visit Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Paris, France)?
In summer, arrive early to beat heat and lines; in winter, dress warmly for the tower climb. Spring brings shorter queues; autumn offers milder weather and colorful views.
Explore These Activities
Reviews of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Paris)
J Youde
A must see place when visiting Paris! It’s free to get in and you don’t need to get any tickets in advance. During the busy season it’s best to get there early. We arrived at 8.45am and we walked straight in. It was still fairly quiet when we left at 10am.
Brittney Conway
You do not need a ticket to enter! There are tour companies selling tickets but honestly, get in the line (looks super long but moves super fast - it’s basically a continuous loop in, around, and out) and check out this iconic cathedral. Even if you’re not catholic or religious, you can appreciate the beauty and wonder in awe how it was built. It’s still under construction on the outside from the ...
M R
Iconic cathedral, so well known, no review is needed. It continues to be restored by artisans and workers who are preserving and restoring the structure to inspire people for generations. Expect scaffolding to still be around the outside structure for another few years. The inside is gorgeous and looks as good or better than it has in 900 years. The walk-up lines move pretty quickly and the to...
Graham Hutchison
Wonderful to see the restored splendour of this magnificent cathedral after the awful fire of 2019. Free to enter, long queue but moved quickly and only took about 20 minutes to get inside. There was a mass taking place when we visited so it was very busy inside but it was lovely to hear the organ music and singing showcasing the wonderful acoustics. I would recommend timing your visit to coinc...
Juan Manuel López Santana
What an amazing symbol of Gothic architecture! This is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals. It's located at the downtown of the beautiful city of Paris. The building is very popular, so probably when you visit it, you'll see a lot of people around. One of the coolest things you can do is, to move around the Sena river near the shore, where you can find some seats to admire the cathedral. I did ...
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Audioguide for 2 adults | EUR 12 |
| Treasury admission for 2 adults | EUR 24 |
| Medieval Mystery kids tour | EUR 150 |
| Total Estimated | EUR 186 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
How to Maximize Your Visit to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
- Preload App Content: Download the family tour and audio guides on Wi-Fi before arrival to save mobile data.
- Use a Baby Carrier: Choose a carrier over a stroller inside the nave to navigate narrow aisles easily.
Map of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Looking for other Things to Do besides Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Paris)?
About Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+33 1 42 34 56 1010 BEST nearby Activities
Explore Popular Things to Do
How You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
10 BEST nearby Activities