← Notre-Dame Towers Climb Guide
Visiting the towers of Notre-Dame
A practical rundown for planning the climb itself: when to go, how to get there, what the 424 steps involve, and who it isn't suited to.
Check availability & book ↗What the climb is
The towers climb is a timed, paid visit that starts in the south tower and comes down through the north tower, run by the Centre des monuments nationaux rather than by the cathedral's clergy. It's a separate thing from walking into the cathedral itself, which costs nothing.
Mind the two queues
The cathedral's free entrance is on the west front, where the crowds gather. Climbers go in separately, at the foot of the south tower, to the right as you face the cathedral; worth remembering if you're booked for a slot and instinctively join the bigger line first.
Getting to the island
The Île de la Cité sits in the middle of the Seine, a few minutes' walk from Métro Cité or Saint-Michel (both line 4), or from the RER B/C stop at Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame across the river. The island itself is small enough to cross on foot in a few minutes from either station.
Picking a time of day
The view and the light change more than the crowd does: low morning or late-afternoon light gives the stone more colour than the flat midday sun. Whatever slot you climb, clear skies do more for the panorama than the hour on the clock.
What's actually on the route
Expect worn stone steps for much of the way, a new oak staircase built during the restoration, the belfry with the cathedral's two largest bells, and then the open terrace. Chimera figures are shown in the rooms at the start of the route, close enough to study.
How long it takes
The route takes around 45 to 50 minutes, and time on the summit terrace is limited to a few minutes. There's no lift and no way to shortcut the stairs, so it's worth not booking anything tight straight afterwards.
Who the stairs aren't for
It's a genuine stair climb, 424 steps, narrow and low in places. It isn't accessible to people with reduced mobility and isn't recommended for anyone with a heart condition or prone to vertigo, for pregnant visitors or for young children. None of that applies to the cathedral itself at ground level, which is free and a separate visit.
What to bring
Flat, secure shoes rather than flip-flops or heels: the stone steps are uneven and worn smooth in places. Travel light, too: luggage, rucksacks larger than 40 × 40 × 20 cm, drones, selfie sticks, glass bottles and motorbike helmets aren't allowed on the climb.