Medieval Paris Tour: Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte Chapelle

Our guide will take you through the heart of a Medieval Paris as you visit two icons of Medieval architecture: Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Your guide will meet you on Ile de la Cité, near the equestrian statue of Charlemagne in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, where the tour will leave at 2:00 p.m. 
The tour will begin with a guided visit of the Notre Dame Cathedral to discover its history and mysteries. Built between the 12th and the 14th century, Paris’s iconic Cathedral was made famous by the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804. To begin, your guide will explain the significance of the exterior façade. The western facade looking out on the church square gives the church an imposing appearance, which has captivated contemporary art and architecture specialists. The façade displays many symbols related to the Virgin Mary. It includes three large portals: a central portal called the Portal of Judgment incarnates the Final Judgment; to the right, a Mother and Child in Romanesque style are depicted on the Sainte-Anne Portal; the Portal of the Virgin, on the left of the monument, recounts the death of Mary and the coronation. Victor Hugo popularized the Cathedral in his literary works, including the archetypal “Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

The visit will then continue inside the edifice, where light seems to burst through the stained-glass windows, giving the Cathedral a spiritual dimension. Admire its three sizable, magnificent rose windows. The west-facing rose window is located on the western facade. The south-facing rose window, or “Rose du midi,” was a gift from Saint Louis. The north-facing rose window measures nearly 13 meters in diameter. Follow your guide, who will show you the transept, the Pietà du chœur, the chapter room, nave, and “Mays,” the many large paintings within its chapels.

After visiting Notre Dame, follow your guide to the Sainte Chapelle for a guided tour of about one hour. This Gothic chapel was commissioned to be built by Saint Louis in order to house Christ’s Crown of Thorns. You can also see exceptional stained glass windows, which depict scenes from both the Old and New Testament. Their colors and minute detail are sure to amaze you. The Sainte Chapelle is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the world.The excursion ends after your visit to Sainte Chapelle. You may then continue to discover Ile de la Cité on your own.

Note:

• If a mass is in session, the guide will offer commentary on the church square, in front of the western façade
• The order of the visit may be modified by the guide or due to crowds within the cathedral.
• Please note that a correct outfit is required for Notre Dame Cathedral inside visit.  Shorts, off shoulder dresses, miniskirts, etc. are not accepted. 

The price includes:

• Entry pass to Sainte Chapelle
• Individual audio guide for guided tours
• Guide

The price doesn't include:

• Transportation