Paris’ Gothic Jewels: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie

(14 reviews)

Paris audio tour: Paris’ Gothic Jewels: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie

This is an indoor tour

Paris

France

$14.99

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About the Tour

Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapell, and the Conciergerie have each shaped French history in their own way, standing as silent witnesses to centuries of triumph and tragedy. On this walking tour, you’ll step into medieval Paris and discover these three Gothic masterpieces’ unique insights into medieval art, religion, and justice.

The tour starts at the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral, where centuries of soot and grime have been meticulously removed to reveal the vibrant colors and intricate details that medieval builders intended. As you explore the cathedral, you’ll hear stories about the stone cutters, glassmakers, and artisans who devoted their lives to creating this soaring monument to faith and ingenuity.

From Notre Dame, you’ll stroll across the Île de la Cité to the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle. This royal chapel was commissioned by King Louis IX to house Christianity’s most precious relic: the Crown of Thorns, believed to be the actual crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head during his crucifixion. The chapel’s 15 stained-glass windows contain over 1,100 biblical luminous scenes that have left visitors awestruck since the 13th century.

The tour ends at the medieval Conciergerie, a former palace that became a prison for insurgents during the French Revolution. Within these stone walls, you’ll hear how Marie Antoinette endured 76 days in a small, dark cell before her execution.

Along the way, you’ll also have a chance to:

Marvel at Notre Dame’s newly restored interior, including sculptures from the 1300s that depict key moments from Christ’s life in their original vibrant colors
Discover the fascinating stories behind Notre Dame’s façade, where stone carvings of saints, kings, and biblical figures have taught generations of Parisians
Admire the stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle’s upper chapel, where 670 square meters of medieval artistry creates one of Paris’ most spectacular spaces
Find out how Louis IX’s mother, Blanche of Castile, saved the French monarchy and see her story depicted in the windows
Explore the imposing Hall of the Men-at-Arms (a space where the king’s men could eat and rest) in the Conciergerie, with its soaring Gothic arches and massive medieval kitchens
Learn to interpret medieval symbolism and unlock the meaning behind the stunning artwork that surrounds you

On this unforgettable two-hour Paris tour through the city’s trio of Gothic masterpieces, you’ll discover why they continue to inspire awe and wonder nearly a millennium after their creation.

Tour Producer

Annie Sargent

9 tours

Bonjour, I'm Annie Sargent, tour guide and producer of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast. I love introducing new people to my favorite destinations in France. Because I've lived away from France for many years, I came back eager to re-discover my own country and the places where French history happened. And because I am French born and raised I can't help but introduce a little bit of French culture into your visit. So, let's get walking and enjoy this tour together!

Preview Location

Location 2

Sculptures around the Choir (Inside Notre Dame, left side)

Can you see the long panel of painted sculptures above eye level on the right? These sculptures take up both the north and south sides of the choir and they tell the stories of the life of Jesus.

The way people used churches in the Middle Ages is very different from how we... Can you see the long panel of painted sculptures above eye level on the right? These sculptures take up both the north and south sides of the choir and they tell the stories of the life of Jesus.

The way people used churches in the Middle Ages is very different from how we use them now. Instead of going in and sitting down in the pews at set times for mass, the faithful came into the Cathedral then walked around the periphery of the church and they did this any time of the day. They would stop at different chapels dedicated to particular saints, touch the relics and statues and say prayers, do the rosary, etc.

Since Cathedrals typically had a religious congregation attached to them (this was definitely the case here at Notre Dame), the monks had different religious services starting at the earliest hours and until late throughout the day.

And there was another big difference you need to know about. Back then, you could hear the monks and the priests, but you could not see them performing the service. That was considered too sacred to be done in the open. Only clergy could participate and see the proceedings of the mass, and the altar was always hidden in an area called the chancel, whereas regular people stay in the nave.

At Notre Dame the altar was hidden behind this screen also named choir screen. On one side of it you have the sculptures depicting the life of Jesus and on the other you have the carved wooden chairs clergy sat on and sang. The front of the altar area is now wide open for people to see, but it used to be hidden from view by a sculpted rood screen and curtains that obstructed the view of the altar.

The rood screen of Notre Dame was taken down around 1725, 29 years before the French Revolution, in an attempt to appease the people who were now turning against the clergy and its many privileges.

So now that you know why this choir screen is here, let's look at the sculptures a little closer:

This masterpiece of 14th-century Gothic sculpture was designed to teach the story of Jesus to a largely illiterate medieval population. They had heard the stories, now they could visualize them as well. And if you can't recognize many of the stories, remember that they spent a lot more time in church than we usually do today. The sculpture depicts key moments of Jesus's life and ministry on both sides. I've added some photos with a legend to make it easier.

You can see the deep emotion in the figures’ faces and movement in their flowing robes. Before the fire of 2019 you couldn't see the colors of the statues any more because they were covered in grime. Now that they've been cleaned up, we can enjoy them again in their original splendor.

Keep going in the same direction until you reach the chapel of Saint Louis on the left. It is the one with the large statue of a man in prayer. Read More

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Route Overview

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Start location
6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Total distance

0m
Final location
Rue du Cloitre Notre Dame, 75004 Paris, France
Distance back to start location

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Directions to Starting Point

The tour begins outside the entrance to Notre Dame. You should start the tour while you wait in line to enter Notre Dame. Don't worry if you don't have a reservation, there is usually a line but it moves fast. Visiting the cathedral is free.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Here are my favorite restaurants in this area:

Le Petit Châtelet 39 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris , +33 1 46 33 53 40 (best reserve in advance)
Au Bougnat, 26 rue Chanoinesse, Paris 75004, +33 1.43.54.50.74 (particularly good nibbles and wine)
Le Saint Régis, 6 Rue Jean du Bellay, 75004 Paris, +33 1 43 54 59 41 (they don't take reservations and it's very popular, but service is quick and efficient so tables open up quickly)

Best time of day

You can take this tour any day of the week starting at with Notre Dame at 8:30 AM. Last entry at the Sainte-Chapelle at 4:30 PM and at the Conciergerie at 5:30 PM.

Precautions

This is a very safe area with a lot of police presence.

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