Private Guided Tour of Notre Dame?
 

My husband and I will be in Paris in mid-May. We are eager to see the newly reopened Notre Dame and are so grateful it was saved. Ideally, we would like to do a private guided tour. Thus far, I am just finding information about the ability to book a timed entry up to several days prior to one's visit. Does anyone know anything more? Thank you in advance.

Hi!

Time slots to visit Notre Dame can be reserved for dates up to 2 days in advance:

• The first batch of new time slots is released at midnight (Paris time), for the date 2 days ahead. For example: At midnight (Paris time) on April 1st, time slots will be released for April 3rd. Any dates beyond April 3rd will automatically be greyed out/appear to be full. This first batch can fill up within ~20 minutes of being released, so I recommend opening the reservation system around 11:50pm.
  
• New/additional "same day" time slots are released 4 hours in advance. For example: At 5:00am (Paris time), new time slots are released for 9:00am for that same day. At 5:30am, new time slots are released for 9:30am, etc. However, there are certain hours when no time slots are ever offered (see below), therefore no new time slots are released 4 hours in advance of those hours. For example: No time slots are offered at 12:00pm, therefore no new time slots will be released at 8:00am. The availability of these time is still subject to the current available capacity inside the cathedral.
  
• New/additional "spontaneous" time slots are released sporadically through the day. The availability of these time slots is based on the current available capacity inside the cathedral.

Time slots are generally offered every 30 minutes between 9:00am and 4:00pm (and between 7:00om and 9:00pm on Thursday), with some exceptions, such as: during Mass and other services, during special events, etc. There are less time slots offered on Sunday and Friday, due to the increased number of Masses and/or liturgical services (ie. the Veneration of the Crown of Thorns on Friday afternoons). Visitors are still permitted to enter during Mass/liturgical services, but priority entrance is given to those attending Mass/liturgical services.

Monday to Thursday & Saturday, time slots are usually offered at 9:00am, 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm and 4:00pm. On Thursday, additional time slots are usually offered at 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm and 9:00pm.

On Friday, time slots are usually offered at 9:00am, 9:30am, 10:00am and 10:30am.

On Sunday, time slots are usually offered at 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm and 3:00pm.

FYI, guided tours/tour groups are not allowed inside Notre Dame until June 9th. Don't book a tour with any tour guide or tour company who is offering tours inside the cathedral before then. They are not authorized to do so. When their group is caught (they will be, I’ve seen it already) they will be asked to stop and/or leave and you will likely not get a refund.

There's truly nothing I love doing more than sharing my love and knowledge of all things Notre Dame..

Guided tours of Notre Dame inside, private or group, are not being allowed until after Pentacost, which is early June in 2025. You'll have to DIY with a guidesheet or something.

June 9th is when guided tours inside will be able to start :)

Thank you both - very helpful information!

Staff is bilingual (if not in more than English) very capable in helping, audio headsets are also available. See no rationale for guided tour frankly. Each chapel (there are 29) list info in English/French. Their website also has lots of information. Or join the online newsletter (free) Secrets of Paris and read the special last two which have tons of details on ND. Were there 2 weeks ago. Had two timeslots but due to inclement weather and high winds, all were ushered inside without prejudice or tix. And lucked out for a partial mass when the astounding organ began at noon. That is another option to consider.