Before the Fire, After the Resurrection – Visiting NOTRE-DAME Today

Bonjour and welcome back on Paris Top Tips. I'm Alain and today I'm taking you on a very special journey through time, tragedy and triumph at the heart of the city, Notre-Dame de Paris. I'll start by showing you our beautiful cathedral filmed in 2017. Back then the cathedral was still standing proud, magnificent though darkened by centuries of candle smoke and time. Its stones were weathered, its interior dim, almost mystical, the kind of sacred gloom that made you whisper without realizing it. You could feel the weight of history in every corner, as if the walls themselves were quietly breathing the past. Then we all saw the moment that shook Paris and the world. But today Notre-Dame stands again, brighter, cleaner and more awe-inspiring than ever before. In this video I'll show you what a visit looks like now and I'll share some practical tips on how to make the most of it, including how to avoid the long lines. When I visited on a Tuesday afternoon, the wait for those without a reservation was around 30 minutes. Here's the website to reserve your free visit to Notre-Dame. You'll also find a link to it in the description below. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is open to all, freely and free of charge, regardless of the purpose of the visit. This optional access reservation system is designed solely to streamline entry and reduce unnecessary waiting on the forecourt. The cathedral is usually open from 8 a.m to 7 p.m every day and until 10 p.m on Thursdays. In 2025 Notre-Dame de Paris is expected to welcome 15 million visitors, far more than the 11 to 12 million it received annually before the fire. That would make it, by far, the most visited monument in the world, 4 million visitors ahead of Saint Peter in Rome. That's over 40,000 visitors or worshippers every single day, which is why although reservations aren't mandatory, they're strongly recommended. As you can see, the centuries of smoke and soot have been completely lifted from the stones, the pillars and the ceiling of the nave. The cathedral now radiates with a brilliance it hasn't known since the Middle Ages. To start your visit, you'll be guided through the North Aisle, just to the left after you enter. The chapels on the northern side are dedicated to key male figures from the Old Testament. Each chapel typically features a 17th century painting on the left, a 19th century sculpture or artwork in the background and a 20th century tapestry on the right. At this point, the contrast is undeniable. Compared to how it looked before the fire, the space now feels dramatically brighter and more luminous. The transept, if you take a moment to truly observe it, is remarkably brighter and more colorful, bursting with detail, light and exceptional beauty. On the north wall of the choir, you'll find a major masterpiece of Gothic sculpture from the 13th century, a series of 14 polychrome scenes from the Gospels, depicting the birth and early life of Jesus up until the beginning of his passion. Surrounding the choir and apse are 13 chapels, known as radiating chapels. Several of them relics in all of Christianity, Notre-Dame preserves the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, a fragment of the true cross and one of the nails used in the crucifixion, all housed in the cathedral's reliquary. The hall at the center of this large golden circle is where the reliquary containing the crown of thorns will be placed. In the chapel of Saint George and the Christians of the Middle East, a special tribute honors the five fighters who helped save Notre-Dame during the blaze. Also on display here is the lead rooster that once crowned the cathedral's part. Though damaged in the blaze, it has become a powerful symbol of resilience. Dating from the early 14th century, the south wall of the choir presents nine remarkable scenes illustrating Christ's appearances following his resurrection. A visit to the treasury offers a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual and artistic heritage of Notre-Dame. Located opposite the north wall of the choir, it showcases centuries of devotion through dazzling gold work, embroidered vestments and objects once used in royal and papal ceremonies. The Notre-Dame treasury holds some of the cathedral's most treasured possessions, from intricately worked monstrances to centuries-old reliquaries, each telling a story of faith, craftsmanship and history. Relics of the Passion of Christ, once housed in the Saint-Chapelle, which was originally built to protect them, were transferred to Notre-Dame after the French Revolution. Most of the objects here are reliquaries, containers created over the centuries to protect these relics. This beautiful object was once used to shield the crown of thorns from light, preserving it in reverent darkness. If you're not a fan of crowds, this might not be the year for you to visit. Once again, the contrast is striking between the dark, time-worn cathedral of the past to the luminous, renewed marvel we see today. Notre-Dame has always been a symbol of Paris, and now, more than ever, it stands as a symbol of resilience and renewal. Whether you're coming for its history, its faith, or simply to admire its breathtaking beauty, a visit here is unforgettable. Just remember to plan ahead and make your free reservation to avoid the lines. And if you've already visited Before the Fire, come again. What you'll see today is nothing short of extraordinary. I'd love to hear from you. Have you visited the new Notre-Dame yet, or do you have memories of it from Before the Fire? Share your thoughts in the comments below.