Inside Notre Dame Tour with Small Group City Stroll

Summary Description

Explore Notre-Dame Cathedral and the historic Île de la Cité with a local guide, uncovering legends and the origins of Paris in an intimate small-group walking tour.

Highlights

Discover the history of Paris from past to present.
Explore inside Notre-Dame Cathedral at your own pace.
Enjoy a guided walking tour around Notre-Dame island.
Hear legends and the true stories of real Parisian figures from a guide.
Small group of 5 for an intimate and immersive experience.

Description

Discover the stories hidden on Paris’s smallest island during an in-depth exploration of Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Begin with a guided introduction to Notre-Dame before stepping inside to see its remarkable post-fire restoration and learn the truth behind the legends that shaped its global fame. After time to explore the cathedral interior, continue with an expert-led walk through the island’s historic streets, tracing the people, myths, and turning points that made Paris what it is today. With a group limited to just six guests, this intimate walking tour offers thoughtful pacing, deeper context, and plenty of opportunities to engage with a knowledgeable local guide. This small group tour with Notre-Dame ticketing handled is an ideal way to understand where the City of Light began.

Step into the historic heart of Paris with a relaxed walking tour of Île de la Cité, the island where the city began. From the gothic splendor of the bell towers of Notre-Dame that inspired Victor Hugo to create his hunchback bell-ringer to quiet squares, you’ll see Paris from several entirely different perspectives, and discover exactly what makes it such a special place.

The experience begins at Notre-Dame Cathedral, where a knowledgeable local guide sets the scene, explaining the cathedral’s significance, symbolism, and enduring role in French history before entry. Inside Notre-Dame, enjoy time to explore at an unhurried pace, taking in the soaring Gothic architecture and the meticulous restoration work following the 2019 fire. From its role as a medieval pilgrimage site to its status as the point from which all distances in France are measured, the cathedral offers a powerful connection to more than eight centuries of Parisian life.

Afterward, meet back with your guide to continue on foot around Île de la Cité. Wandering along cobbled streets, pass landmarks such as Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie while uncovering stories of kings, queens, and everyday figures who shaped the city’s identity.

With a small group capped at 5 participants, this tour allows for meaningful interaction, seamless movement through busy areas, and a deeper connection to the City of Light. It’s a thoughtful, immersive way to experience Notre-Dame and the island that gave rise to Paris.

Included / Excluded

Entrance to Notre-Dame
Local English-speaking guide
Expertly guided walking tour
Small group of 5 people or fewer

Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Gratuities

Start / End Locations

Start Location: Statue de Charlemagne et ses leudes, Île de la Cité, France

Start Location Notes: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets in front of the statue Charlemagne et ses Leudes located in Place du Parvis de Notre Dame, 75004 Paris.

Start Location Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/52hNx7etLwMvyg5i8

End Location: Pont Saint-Louis, Pont Saint-Louis, 75004 Paris, France

Commentary

Guide : English

Important Information

Know Before You Book

Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
This tour is in English.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

Know Before You Go

Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
Areas visited during this tour are subject to closure. Your guide may need to modify areas visited on the day of the tour.
Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.

Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours

Cancellation Notes: Cancellations received greater than 24 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 24 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.

Options and Pricing

Adult	RETAIL PRICE
Adult (15+) (15 - 99 years)	N/A
Child (2-14) (2 - 14 years)	N/A
Infant (0-1) (0 - 1 years)	N/A

Points of interest

Terms and Conditions

Before you travel, please read the "Know Before You Go" section for essential information, requirements, and possible disruptions regarding your tour.

Additional Information

Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)

Redemption Information

Tickets will be held at the box office

FAQ

Is food & drink allowed in Sainte Chapelle?

Closed bottled water is allowed, food is forbidden inside the visited sites.

Can I bring my bag on my tour?

To ensure the safety of visitors, French authorities enforce security measures upon entry to the attractions of Ile de la Cité. Suitcases, luggage, and larger bags are not allowed inside. Only bags smaller than 55 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm are permitted. Please accept our apologies for any delay or inconvenience caused by extra security checks.

My tour includes a visit to a holy site, what should I wear?

Dress code at Catholic churches and religious sites requires that both women and men cover their shoulders and knees. In summer we recommend that men wear t-shirts and long shorts that cover their knees. For women, if you are wearing a strapless top or dress, bring a cardigan. If you are wearing shorts, we recommend bringing a sarong to wrap around you inside.

Do I have to use my Seine cruise tickets on the day of the tour?

No. Your tickets for the Seine Cruise are flexible and can be used for any boat during your vacation.

Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.

Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...

Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.

Basic Information