--- title: Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame lang: en alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/france/paris/tours/private-historical-tour-of-notre-dame/ type: tour city: Paris country: France price: 250 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.66 reviews: 47 duration_minutes: 90 languages: [en, fr] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 25 of 36 (Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité) schedule_checked: 2026-10-01 data_updated: 2026-10-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/france/paris/tours/private-historical-tour-of-notre-dame/ --- # Private Historical Tour of Notre Dame **Guidekin's take:** Cathedral research shapes this private tour for your party of Notre Dame, led by an art historian. Plan for an exterior visit: the listing says the interior is inaccessible and does not guarantee guiding inside. 4.66 from 47 reviews at €250 per person for 1h 30m. In our comparison: #25 of 36 in Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview 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. ## Before you book - Meeting point: The meeting point is in front of the… - Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers - 9 start times: between 08:00 and 16:00 - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €250 per person - Duration: 1h 30m - Rating: 4.66/5 from 47 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Paris in person - Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price - Group: Private tour, your party only - Guide languages: English, French - Start times: 9 start times between 08:00 and 16:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-01 ## Reviews 4.66 from 47 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 91% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 43 of 47. - 5 stars: 42 (89%) - 4 stars: 1 (2%) - 3 stars: 0 (0%) - 2 stars: 1 (2%) - 1 star: 3 (6%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers value the historical depth and patient explanations; some expected special access that was not provided **Praised:** - Detailed explanations of the cathedral's history, architecture and religious meaning - Patient, detailed answers to visitors' questions - Engaging storytelling that makes the cathedral's history accessible - Explanations of the fire, restoration and changes to the building **Complaints:** - Some expected special access that the tour did not provide - Some find the guiding superficial or unengaging, while others praise its depth and warmth Written by Guidekin from the 46 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2022-03-15 to 2026-08-23); last checked 2026-10-03. ## What's 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 ## Itinerary 1. **Archeological Crypt of the Parvis of Notre-Dame** (10m) - 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. 2. **Point zero des routes de France** (15m) - The historic, cultural, symbolical and overall relevance of this often overlooked yet immensely important site. 3. **Equestrian Statue of Charlemagne** (15m) - History of how France came to be and the significant role Notre Dame Cathedral had in it. 4. **Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris** (20m) - 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. 5. **The view of the cathedral from the side, as a chance to discuss its architect...** (15m) - 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. 6. **Fontaine de la Vierge** (10m) - A view of the cathedral from the back, and the detailed account of the immense and breathtaking complexity of Gothic architecture. 7. **Petit-Pont-Cardinal-Lustiger** (10m) - An overview of the entire cathedral and the story of its beauty, connected to dogma, creation of Marian Catholicism, French identity and politics. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 9 start times between 08:00 and 16:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-01 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point 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. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJF9gCqOFx5kcRkExrTAOURbY Ends: back at the meeting point ## Good to know - 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. ## Cost for your party | People | Total | Per person | |---|---|---| | 2 | €500 | €250 | | 4 | €700 | €175 | | 6 | €1050 | €175 | Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité start at €19 per person. ## Compared with other Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #25 of 36** | €250 | 1h 30m | 4.66 (47) | private | | [Paris City Center Tour with Notre Dame Semi Private 12ppl Max](/france/paris/tours/paris-city-center-tour-with-notre-dame-semi-private-12ppl-max/?format=md) | €55 | 2h 40m | 5.0 (214) | shared | | [Paris Highlights Bike Tour: Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre-Dame](/france/paris/tours/paris-highlights-bike-tour-eiffel-tower-louvre-and-notre-dame/?format=md) | €45 | 4h | 4.9 (941) | shared | | [Paris Notre-Dame Interior or Exterior Walking Tour](/france/paris/tours/paris-notre-dame-interior-or-exterior-walking-tour/?format=md) | €30 | 1h 30m | 4.86 (2311) | shared | Ranked #25 of 36 in Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €19 to €280, median €66; typical length 1h 53m. 7 of 36 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/france/paris/notre-dame-ile-de-la-cite/?format=md ## More in Paris - All Paris tours: https://guidekin.com/france/paris/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/france/paris/tours/private-historical-tour-of-notre-dame/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/france/paris/?format=md