Loyal worshippers, fans and friends of Notre-Dame de Paris have welcomed the news of its very grand reopening. Are you planning to visit the iconic cathedral in 2025 too?

Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect from your trip to Notre-Dame, whether you’re a regular or newcomer. It’s full of surprises and wonder, but what really blows you away is the light. Visitors to the long-awaited renovation bask in the radiant glow bouncing off the bright white stone and flooding through the crystal-clear stained glass.

If you want to squeeze every last drop out of your trip to the cathedral, you need to plan ahead, get to know Notre-Dame’s treasury and what not to miss. 

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

What you need to know about booking a trip to Notre-Dame in 2025:

Let’s start with some useful information to plan your trip to Notre-Dame. 

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

Do you have to book your trip to Notre-Dame?

You don’t have to, but it’s best you do! 

Visitors have been so excited about Notre-Dame reopening that it’s bound to be busy! It’s best to pre-book so you avoid having to queue for too long (and risk not getting in with a maximum capacity of 3000 people in the cathedral). You can book your date and time on the website or the app.

Is admission free? 

Despite much debate, it’s still free to visit Notre-Dame. The Paris cathedral stands out from the crowd in this respect with the Duomo in Milan, Westminster Abbey and many more charging over 20 Euros to get in.

A variety of visitor experiences

The cathedral’s visitor route and signage have been updated. The route now runs from left to right and focuses on 10 areas of interest with visitor information suitable for all ages. There are also 5 different tours available to book online to suit different audiences: general tour, family tour, pilgrimage tour, audio tour and easy read tour.

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

Tourists and pilgrims: a space for everyone 

Notre-Dame Cathedral is a holy place where pilgrims and worshippers come to gather their thoughts and pray. Everyone who visits the cathedral must respect their wish for silence and space, especially children. Please don’t talk near the confessionals or transept and don’t sit in the front pews before the altar which are reserved for worshippers. The Crown of Thorns, Saint Guillaume Chapel, choir and pews in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary are also devoted to prayer.  

DURING YOUR TRIP

What not to miss in Notre-Dame:

It was originally housed in the Sainte-Chapelle, a beautiful chapel built especially for it on Ile de la Cité, before being moved to Notre-Dame in the 19th century. It was saved from the fire (it was secretly stored at Paris Town Hall during the cathedral’s renovation) and has been given a new showcase in a reliquary commissioned by the archbishop of Paris and designed by Sylvain Dubuisson. Stonemasons have carved an altar from Carrara marble with a cross lit by small LED candles, topped by a disc covered in glass blocks and set in a cedar wall. The semi sphere housing the Crown of Thorns in the centre gleams in deep blue to match Notre-Dame’s vault and stained glass. The relic’s setting is lit by fibre optics to avoid fire hazards and will host the Crown of Thorns for special celebrations!

Visitors who want to see the legendary item for themselves should head to the “secret” easternmost chapel in Notre-Dame.

The Mays of Notre-Dame

May what? 

The Mays of Notre-Dame are large paintings commissioned by the Paris guild of goldsmiths and gifted to Notre-Dame every year on May 1st from 1630 to 1707. They were painted by the best artists of their times, including Charles Le Brun, Guido Reni, Lubin Baugin and Laurent de La Hyre. There are now just thirteen Mays in the cathedral with nine other paintings. One of the best is La Conversion de Saint Paul by Laurent de La Hyre in the second North Chapel!

Chapelle Saint-Martin

This chapel has come into the light after being closed to visitors. It was so dusty and dirty that you couldn’t even see its 19th century designs by Viollet-Le-Duc. The post-fire renovation has restored it to its former glory, revealing its incredible colours, narrative scenes and polychrome decorative details. The “ghosts” of sculptures that had been moved to another chapel were also found in the once dark and gloomy chapel.

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

New furniture… made in France

Notre-Dame’s nave has been treated to new solid oak chairs from trees in Sologne and new “mobilier liturgical”. 

It’s time for some French practice! The baptistry, altar, ambo, tabernacle and throne are all classed as liturgical or religious furniture. They’re all made from bronze at a foundry in the Drôme area called Barthélémy Art.

Let’s take to the mountains with this travel diary in French-speaking Switzerland. Matilda, a French student from Munich, spent a week of her holiday perfecting her skills in Lausanne. She joined her classmates for French lessons in the morning and learnt what makes Romandy, its landscapes, specialities and accent so unique!

Let’s join Matilda as she introduces us to Swiss scenery and traditions.

Welcome to Romandy

We spent our French language holiday in Romandy. What is Romandy and why come here to learn French? It’s the French-speaking region of Switzerland and home to several cantons (Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Valais etc.) where French is the main language but with a few cute differences!

Lausanne Cathedral

Next stop: Lausanne Cathedral in all its Gothic glory!

The 13^th century cathedral in uptown Lausanne has unobstructed views of the city and Lake Geneva. It was worth it just for the views! Ladies from Lausanne are said to have the best legs in the world… because of the hills they have to walk up every day!

We walked through the pretty painted doorway (a rare sight!) and visited the many realistic statues of biblical characters inside the cathedral. Everything about the place is incredible, from the stained-glass windows to the lofty belfry.

The guide told us about a tradition that’s been around for 600 years: every night between 10pm and 2am, the husky watchman calls out the hours to Lausanne’s locals!!! Who needs a cuckoo?

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne

Lausanne is the Olympic capital: it’s home to the International Olympic Committee’s head office and the Olympic Museum. We simply couldn’t miss it! The futuristic and interactive exhibition taught us all about the history of the Olympic Games, elite athletes and their impact on society and politics. Films, archive photos, equipment: it’s an exciting and all-encompassing experience.
At the end of the tour, I tackled a challenge that turned out to be hilarious and ridiculous in equal measure. I competed against Usain Bolt in the 100m simulation! I’d barely got out of the starting blocks before the red light lit up: Usain Bolt had already crossed the finish line…

Life on Lake Geneva

Gruyères and the Cheese Factory

After Lausanne, we caught the train to Gruyères, a village famous for its medieval castle and namesake cheese. With or without holes? We got the answer at the Maison du Gruyère cheese factory where we visited maturing cellars (home to up to 7000 wheels!) and learnt the art of making cheese. The outing ended on a high with an amazing gruyère tasting. Being in the lush green meadows of Switzerland made the cheese taste even better!

Cailler and the Chocolate Factory

A trip back in time in Montreux

Visiting Montreux is like stepping inside a time machine: the village is simply magical with its cobbled streets and 13^th century winemaker’s houses. It’s hilly! Even hillier than Lausanne! Countless famous names have explored Montreux’s streets and studios: Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Tolstoy, Hemingway and even Freddie Mercury.

Fondue, a seasonal sensation!

Despite it being a hot and sunny June, we tried the local speciality: fondue!

It’s always a winner, especially when everyone gathers round a fiery fondue pot filled with creamy, mouth-watering cheese. We certainly filled up on the calories and energy we needed to tackle the rest of the day. We all got into the swing of things and followed the rules: if you drop your bread in the fondue, you have to pay the price! It was a golden opportunity for us to test out our French words and expressions and it brought us all closer together!

Geneva and the Smurfs

What sets Swiss French apart?

We spent two hours perfecting our French in class every morning, then spent the rest of the day testing out our knowledge with activities and experiences with the Swiss locals. The people who live in Romandy have their own unique accent and vocabulary. They use local, idiomatic expressions that surprised us and even made us smile. People in French-speaking Switzerland say “septante” for 70 and “nonante” for 90, which felt strange to begin with but made sense once I got used to it. Then there’s “pédzer” (to stick) and “il roille” (it’s pouring down). We made games and comprehension challenges out of the dialect so we could soak up the local culture and community.

Bordeaux is a hugely popular destination among French as a foreign language students. We have devoted an entire article to the capital of wine and vineyards, but that doesn’t stop you venturing out of the city! Bordeaux is surrounded by fantastic places to visit within a 2-hour radius.

Let’s join Taylor, a literature student from Hungary, as he explores the Nouvelle Aquitaine region during his French as a foreign language course. Here’s his travel diary visiting Gironde and Dordogne, the dunes, vineyards, forests and fortresses!

Following in the footsteps of Eleanor of Aquitaine

Blaye citadel

We followed Eleanor of Aquitaine’s path to Blaye, where she lived for years. The citadel was designed by Vauban (well after Eleanor’s time!) and it’s a sight for sore eyes: the star-shaped layout is home to impressive defensive architecture by the river. We met craftsmen working inside the citadel who told us what the structure was for: to monitor traffic and keep an eye on enemies between the river and Atlantic Ocean. How exciting!

Dordogne and its 1001 châteaux

We left Blaye for Périgord, a leafy region full of forests, rivers and châteaux! Take your pick from medieval fortresses and Renaissance châteaux, this place has them all! We visited the village of Beynac on the banks of the Dordogne. We picked up Eleanor’s story here: after marrying the future King of England, some of the land fell into English hands. The Dordogne River marked the border between the two enemy kingdoms: Château de Beynac stood on the French bank opposite the English Castelnaud Fortress. This is what we experienced when we visited both amazing castles with views overlooking the valley.

Turn back the clock: prehistoric caves in Lascaux

From Dordogne to Gironde:
Saint Emilion and the fabulous vineyards

Set sail for Pilat Dune and Arcachon Bay

From leafy vineyards to sandy dunes!

Boat trip to Cap Ferret 

Cap Ferret is famous for its beautiful villas (owned by celebs!), traditional oyster huts and Île aux Oiseaux. “Bird Island” is highly protected and you can only get there by boat. You tend to sail in pinasses, small wooden and flat-bottomed boats typical of Arcachon Bay. You can’t miss Île aux Oiseaux for its cabanes tchanquées, cute and colourful oyster huts that look like storks standing in the water. They are surrounded by countless species of protected migratory birds.

We began with a trip in Cap Ferret around the bay. We visited oyster farming districts with original names (L’Herbe, Le Canon etc.) home to colourful oyster huts. It was time for a tasting! We couldn’t come here without trying the local speciality: oysters. With or without sea water? With or without lemon juice? With or without buttered toast? What oysters lack in looks, they make up for in flavour! 

Vacances Actives Linguistiques visited Alsace this summer and brings you its favourite things to see and do during a language stay in Alsace for our French students. Here’s a trip through both the region (north to south) and time as you travel back to the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Industrial Revolution. Autumn and its golden colours make Alsace one of our favourite destinations: half-timbered houses, fortresses standing on mountain roads and hillside vineyards, staggering views of the Ballons des Vosges and rib-sticking comfort food! 

1 : Craftsmanship and culture, Musée Lalique, Hochberg

2 : Strasbourg and flammekueche foodie workshop.

Strasbourg is a must-visit on this language stay in Alsace. The city and European district are worth spending a full week exploring (please see our first travel guide in Strasbourg).

After a walk around Petite France and a trip up the cathedral to say hello to the gargoyles, the students got stuck into a cookery workshop devoted to a local delicacy: flammekueche!

The wood-fired recipe has simple yet specific ingredients: smoked lardons, onion and cream. Once our aprons and worktops were completely covered in flour, the workshop turned into a tasting session to find out who had made the best flammekueche!

3 : Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, Alsace’s iconic medieval fortress

4. Humanist Library in Sélestat

Say goodbye to the Middle Ages and hello to the Renaissance as we follow in the footsteps of the humanist Beatus Rhenanus. He left his fantastic book collection to the Alsatian town of Sélestat where he was born and it is now listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. 

As you flick through the books, manuscripts, leaflets and numbered schoolbooks, you experience the lives of great humanists and travellers like Beatus Rhenanus and his famous friend Erasmus. Discovering uncharted territory, meeting new cultures, making progress in science and technology, considering man’s place in the universe and more, a trip to the Humanist Library certainly got our French students and budding travellers thinking. 

5 : The Eagle Park at Château de Kintzheim

6 : Charming little Alsatian towns: introducing Colmar, Eguisheim and Ribeauvillé

We simply had to spend a day visiting Alsace’s beautiful villages with their signature personality and romance. These towns are popular during the holiday season with their magical Christmas markets, but they’re just as lovely on a trip to explore and sample local produce! Feast on cured meat, bretzels and classic choucroute galore on the Wine Route! 

Ribeauvillé is a fine example of Alsatian village architecture with bright and colourful half-timbered houses. Our students’ favourites were Auberge de l’Éléphant and Maison des Ménétriers (meaning the House of Musicians) at the top of the Grand-Rue with its beautiful frontage dating back to 1683. We kept our energy topped up with a trip to a family-run Alsatian chocolate shop!

We did a little scavenger hunt in Eguisheim: our young visitors explored the village with spiral lanes and met locals and tourists to answer as many questions as they could in the shortest time. Mission accomplished! Half-timbered houses, high-pitched roofs, sculpted lintels and secret fountains… there were hidden clues everywhere! This colourful village is a favourite among French people (just ask TV presenter Stéphane Bern!) with its pretty labyrinth ideal for having fun and enjoying views of the Alsatian hills. 

Last stop: Colmar, the most magical and peaceful of the trio. The so-called Little Venice is home to half-timbered houses lining the canals and cobbled lanes. Since the Christmas market and its many craftsmen and traders weren’t here, we focused on the Ecomusée d’Alsace: a traditional Alsatian village brought to life to showcase bygone buildings, trades and costumes. We met the blacksmith, cooper, wheelwright and schoolteacher who held a class about Alsace’s history in the classroom! Listen up!

7. La Cité du Train, SNCF heritage in Mulhouse

For this language stay diary, we’re going off the beaten track on a trip to the Baie de Somme. Our French teacher, Amelia, and her group of students from Malta were won over by the beautiful Baie and bring you their highlights. All the students reconnected with nature on this revitalising trip from Paris to the region between Picardy and Normandy.

Top 5 of the Baie de Somme 

Our language stay went in a whole new direction when my group of students, guide and I left the bright lights, museums and monuments of Paris for the Baie de Somme. Within just two hours we had a total change of scene and maybe even a trip back in time! White chalk cliffs, dunes and wetlands, Belle Epoque beach huts, sheep and kites, chic seafront villas…. My students soaked it all up and almost forgot about their smartphones! Here are our favourite experiences in a 5-stage travel diary. 

1. Le Crotoy and land sailing

2. Saint-Valery-sur-Somme: full of sheep and medieval charm

Saint Valéry is one of 3 ports in the Baie de Somme and its village is perched on a rocky headland. We visited the idyllic and romantic medieval town home to ramparts and two defensive towers. We really enjoyed exploring the fishing quarter, Courtgain, and its maze of narrow lanes lined with flowers, half-timbered houses and red and white checkerboard walls. 

After a pot of mussels and chips, we headed for the Herbarium des Remparts: a botanical garden dating back to the Middle Ages and home to countless rare plant species. 

From the top of Saint Valéry, students feasted their eyes on the fabulous scenery with a patchwork of sandy beaches and meadows: mollières (they have very specific terms to describe the landscape, flora and fauna here… it’s not easy!) where salt marsh sheep graze peacefully. The salty plants make the lamb taste like nothing you’ve tried before. 

Last but not least, we visited the flint and chalk so-called sailor’s chapel: the architecture is unique to say the least! There’s no cockerel or cross at the top of the spire; there’s a seagull! 

3. Cayeux sur Mer and Hourdel Lighthouse

4. Mers-les-Bains, a chic rock pooling village

Our trip back in time to the Belle Epoque continued in Mers les Bains, tucked into the white chalk cliff. The village is home to beautiful villas! Colourful houses with bow windows and beautifully decorated fronts form a picture-perfect setting. We spent the morning rock pooling with the guide and several keen amateurs during low tide. We actually gave them our catch at the end of the grey and windy morning… the sun can’t always shine at the Picardy seaside!

5. Parc du Marquenterre: nature break