Climbing the towers of Notre-Dame
The tower route is a separate visit from the cathedral. Entering the cathedral is free. The climb is run by the Centre des monuments nationaux, needs a ticket for a set time slot and has its own rules. This guide is independent and does not sell tickets.
The route reopened on 20 September 2025. It starts in the South Tower and passes models and intermediate stops. On the way you come near the great bells Emmanuel and Marie, cross the courtyard between the two towers and get views of the rebuilt roof frame and the chimeras.
Tickets and free entry
What the operator lists in 2026.
Booking is online only
You book an e-ticket with a time slot in advance. There is no sale on site. The same applies to children and to holders of the Paris Museum Pass.
Who enters free
Visitors under 18 do not pay. People aged 18 to 25 enter free if they are EU citizens or non-EU citizens who live legally in France. People with a disability and one companion are also free, as are some other groups with proof. Free visitors still need a time slot.
Free Sundays
The first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December is free. You must still reserve a slot, and the number of free places per slot is limited.
Paris Museum Pass
The towers are included in the pass (2026: €85 for 2 days, €105 for 4 days, €125 for 6 days). The free slot reservation is mandatory and the pass quota is limited. A sold-out pass quota does not give you a free choice of any paid slot.
| Visit | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral interior | Free | Optional online reservation, free of charge |
| Tower route | €16 | Timed e-ticket required |
| Treasury | €12 | Separate from the cathedral and the towers |
These are three separate offers, not one combined ticket. The cathedral side is covered on the tickets page.
Notre-Dame tours and Paris day trips
Guided visits, Seine cruises and city tours near the cathedral, with live prices and availability.
Opening times for the towers
Two seasons, with fixed closing days.
| Period | Opening hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 30 September | 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. | 1 hour before closing |
| 1 October to 31 March | 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 1 hour before closing |
| 1 January, 1 May, 25 December | Closed | – |
These are the hours on the operator's current page. Another listing gives evening hours until October, so check the timetable for your date before you go. The cathedral has its own hours, listed on the opening hours page. Weather can close parts of the route or the whole climb.
What the climb is like
Be ready for stairs and a narrow route.
424 steps, no lift
The climb leads to a viewing level at 69 m, the height of the two west towers. Older sources give a slightly lower step count, so use the current figure of 424. Visitors under 18 may enter only with an adult.
Who should think twice
No minimum age is set. The operator advises against bringing small children, and strollers are not allowed. Pregnancy, heart failure and vertigo are named as problems. If any of these applies, skip the climb.
Nothing on the route
There is no drinking water point, no toilet and no left-luggage on the route. Go to the toilet before you start and bring only what you need. Large bags are also a problem at the cathedral's security check.
No guided groups
Regular groups and guiding inside the tower route are not allowed. Special arrangements for educational and social groups go through the operator's own service.
Chimeras, gargoyles and the bells
What the route shows you up close.
Gargoyles carry water, chimeras decorate
Gargoyles are part of the roof drainage and throw rainwater away from the walls. Chimeras are decorative figures with no drainage function. Many of both were renewed in the restoration of the 19th century, so they are not all medieval. The architecture page has more.
The route shows chimeras, not a fixed gallery walk
The route gives views of chimeras. Do not expect every platform to be open or the old gallery walk to be unchanged.
Emmanuel and Marie
Emmanuel has hung in the tower since 1686 and weighs 13.3 tonnes. Marie dates from 2013 and weighs 6.2 tonnes. Do not plan on hearing the bells at a set time.
The spire is a different height
The rebuilt crossing tower, often called the spire, stands 96 m high. The two west towers you climb are 69 m. The story of the spire is on the restoration page.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pair the climb with these pages.
Opening hours
Cathedral hours by day, the Thursday evening and the treasury.
Tickets and reservation
Free entry, optional reservation and what costs money.
Architecture of Notre-Dame
Rose windows, portals and flying buttresses.
If you want a second big visit on the same trip, the Louvre is a separate museum with its own tickets. See the guide at Louvre Museum.
Notre-Dame towers: frequently asked questions
Are the towers of Notre-Dame open?
Yes. The tower route reopened on 20 September 2025. It closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, and weather can close parts of it.
How much does it cost to climb the towers?
The regular ticket is €16 in 2026. Visitors under 18 and several other groups enter free, and the first Sunday of five months is free. Everyone needs a time slot.
Can I buy a tower ticket on the day?
No. Tickets are sold as timed e-tickets online, and the operator does not sell on site. Book before you travel.
How many steps are there?
The operator gives 424 steps up to the viewing level at 69 m. There is no lift.
Is the cathedral ticket also valid for the towers?
The cathedral is free, so there is no cathedral ticket. The tower route is a separate paid offer that needs its own time slot, even if you hold a Paris Museum Pass.
Is the climb suitable for children?
No minimum age is set, but the operator advises against bringing small children, and strollers are not allowed. Visitors under 18 must be with an adult.