Originally published on September 29, 2025.
There are many Notre Dame churches in France, but when you say Notre Dame it’s understood you mean the one in Paris (or maybe the college in Indiana, haha). Like the rest of the world, we watched in horror during the fire of April 2019 and I thought I’d never see the inside again in my lifetime.
As you can see from the photos, restoration work is still underway on the exterior. When I heard it reopened for visits last December, I was shocked—and even more surprised to snag a ticket for the bell tower, which only reopened during this trip.
So how was it? The interior is stunning. Bright, white, and refreshed—it no longer feels dark and dingy. The bell tower, however, left me less enthusiastic. Before the fire, visitors could walk closer to the famous gargoyles; that’s no longer possible. Still, if it’s your first time up, the views over Paris are excellent (though not quite as sweeping as Montparnasse Tower).
All in all, I was happy to step back inside one of the world’s most iconic cathedrals. Even the crowds didn’t bother me too much.
Fact corner: Notre Dame de Paris, begun in 1163 and largely completed by 1345, is considered a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. Its flying buttresses, rose windows, and towers have inspired artists, writers, and visitors for centuries.
