Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 47 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame worth booking?
Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame is a 1.5-hour experience in Paris, France, from $175 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 47 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (47)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $175 per person
The tour is a product of a very long and detailed research, conducted by a PhD scholar, that was done for the purposes of mobile app Notre Dame Fiat Lux. This research will also be published in the form of a book. Theref
What you get
About this experience
The tour is a product of a very long and detailed research, conducted by a PhD scholar, that was done for the purposes of mobile app Notre Dame Fiat Lux. This research will also be published in the form of a book. Therefore, our guides who partook in this research (most of them) or have prepared the tour from it, are arguably and very likely the foremost experts on Notre Dame in Paris, France, and indeed the world. The tour is a comprehensive view on the cathedral and its many different aspects. We offer a rare synthesis of research, over ten years of guiding experience, and most importantly, honest, deep and ever expanding love for this jewel of Gothic architecture. We feel that Notre Dame is the very pinnacle of Western civilization, and we are eager to explain why. Come share our passion and ever growing interest for this unique monument. IMPORTANT NOTICE - while the new rule is being implemented, we cannot guarantee tour guiding inside - visiting the inside is still included.
What's included
Included
- Private tour
- Professional art historian guide
- Notre-Dame Cathedral access
Not included
- Food and drinks
- for the moment, as the new rule is being implemented, guiding inside the cathedral is not guaranteed
What you'll see and do
Archeological Crypt of the Parvis of Notre-Dame
The underground of the cathedral and its importance not only for Notre Dame, but for history of Paris and France as well. We discuss the crypt without entering it, as it is a separate visit in its own right.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Point zero des routes de France
The historic, cultural, symbolical and overall relevance of this often overlooked yet immensely important site.
15 minutes here
Equestrian Statue of Charlemagne
History of how France came to be and the significant role Notre Dame Cathedral had in it.
15 minutes here
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
A detailed description of the Western Portal of the cathedral and the meaning of its statues and reliefs. The detailed explanation of their history and relevance. In this case in particular, art is never just ornamental, but deeply symbolical and instrumental.
20 minutes here
The view of the cathedral from the side, as a chance to discuss its architecture, windows, gargoyles, and how it comes together both symbolically and functionally.
15 minutes here
Fontaine de la Vierge
A view of the cathedral from the back, and the detailed account of the immense and breathtaking complexity of Gothic architecture.
10 minutes here
Petit-Pont-Cardinal-Lustiger
An overview of the entire cathedral and the story of its beauty, connected to dogma, creation of Marian Catholicism, French identity and politics.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Paris
The meeting point is in front of the Charlemagne statue, a large bronze horse rider on the right hand side of the church. Your guide will be carrying a red canvas tote bag.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The meeting point is in front of the Charlemagne statue, a large bronze horse rider on the right hand side of the church. Your guide will be carrying a red canvas tote bag.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Paris in person
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The entrance to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is free and open to all. The services offered are independent of access to the interior of the building.
- cathedral is not accessible on the inside and visit stays on the outside.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 47 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
47 verified traveler reviews for Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Boris is a perfect,...
Boris is a perfect, scholarly, considerate guide. His knowledge of Notre Dame and its history is vast. Thank you.
via Viator
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Boris's tour of Notre-Dame Cathedral exceeded our expectations. He is insightful, knowledgeable, and engaging, offering a unique blend of historical, mythical, and religious perspectives that brought the cathedrals story to life. The tour was both educational and enjoyable, leaving us inspired and eager to learn even more. Thank you, Boris for such a memorable experience. Roseanne, and Jim.
via Tripadvisor
Do not miss this tour if you are interested in History and Faith
Boris tailored the tour of Notre Dame to our interests, including those of our 10 year-old grandson. I highly recommend him. I now understand the structure and its great significance, history and meaning. He makes me want to learn more!!
via Tripadvisor
Disappointing Notre Dame Tour
This tour was a major disappointment. There were many reasons why I say this, however I will start with the tour guide. Firstly, the tour guide seemed to know very little about about the Notre Dame Cathedral (I guess fake it til you make it!). We were escorted through the church as if it was a self led tour. There was minimal commentary by the tour guide and little enthusiasm and engagement throughtout. Now I would like to highlight the astronomical cost of this tour for the experience provided. This was a 90 minute walking tour for around 900 USD for 3 people. This amount gives me pause, as admission to the cathedral is complimentary. Where is the value? Is this a mistake on behalf on Viator? Perhaps. We have used manu Viator tours in the past and were pleased. However, going forward we may never use Viator again after this disappointing experience.
Response from the operator: The person who wrote this review called me less than 24h before the tour, asking to cancel it and demanding a full reimbursement, on account of a medical emergency. When I communicated that the decision was not mine to make, but depended on Viator's approval, she chose to do the tour after all (the medical emergency somehow was not the issue anymore). After the visit, she sent a form through Viator, demanding a full refund, stating that the guide never showed up. Once I refused the refund and pointed out that the guide did show up, and gave the tour as agreed upon, she wrote this review, basically as a means of coercing the reimbursement. When I reached out and tried to understand what went wrong, she ended the conversation by using curse words. I have written evidence of all of this, that I have sent to Viator, and am waiting for them to delete this review in the light of everything that happened. It is a great shame that the platform allows such behavior and does nothing to sanction it. As a business owner, a PhD scholar, an author of the book on the very topic of Notre Dame, and an individual who personally formed the guide that gave the tour, I fully stand behind my colleague and judge this kind of behavior as entirely inacceptable. One can see from other, non biased reviews what is the actual quality of this tour, and the guides that do it, all of whom are personally chosen by me.
via Viator
Excellent tour and guide !
Eluzabeth is informative, fun and has a great breadth of knowledge. She made our experience so much more enjoyable and rewarding than doing it on our own.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $175 to $350
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Paris.
How much does Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame cost?
+
Prices start at $175 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Paris usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame take?
+
Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Paris is not rushed.
Is Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 47 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Paris, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame?
+
Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Paris can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Paris and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Paris within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Paris?
+
Paris rewards travelers who book ahead. The headline museums sell timed entry weeks out, the best food walks cap at eight people, and the Seine cruises that are worth doing are the ones that leave after sunset. Everything below is scored by the Outty Ranking so you can tell a genuine local favorite from a coach-tour filler in a single glance. On Outty we rank every Paris experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Louvre Museum Essential Guided Tour Semi Private 6 GUESTS MAX, Louvre Museum Premium Guided Tour 6 GUESTS MAX Entry Included, Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
+
April to June and September to October, when queues thin out and terraces stay open late. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Paris?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame.
Pick your date
