Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame
A private walk through the heart of Gothic Paris. We’ll see the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and venture inside Notre-Dame, timed around the daily Mass.
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
Max 5
Highlights
- Sainte-Chapelle’s Upper Chapel — The 'wall of glass' that everyone comes to see. It’s even better when someone explains the stories in it.
- The Rose Window — One of the most intricate pieces of glass in the city.
- Notre-Dame (Inside) — We’ll go inside the cathedral (timed around Mass) to see the scale and the vaulting that defined the Gothic era.
- Île de la Cité History — The story of the island where Paris was born.
- Photo Spots — I’ll show you the best angles for both buildings, away from the biggest crowds.
- Context, Not Lectures — We’ll talk about the kings, the architects, and the recent restoration work in a way that’s actually interesting.
Quick Overview
- Your party only (up to 5 people)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Pace: Relaxed. No rushing, plenty of time for photos.
- The Landmarks: The upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle and the interior of Notre-Dame.
- The Flow: We'll flip the order depending on when Mass is happening at Notre-Dame to ensure we can go inside.
- Best for: Art lovers, history buffs, and anyone who wants to see these two icons without the usual stress.
The Experience
I’ve designed this tour to be calm. These two buildings are basically the "books" of medieval Paris—everything from the architecture to the windows tells a story. Since it’s a private tour, we can go at your speed. If you want to spend twenty minutes just looking at one window, that’s fine.
We’ll start with Sainte-Chapelle. It’s basically a box of light, and I’ll help you "read" those massive windows so you know what you’re looking at. Then we’ll walk over to Notre-Dame. Since they have daily Mass, the timing can be tricky. I maintain a flexible schedule so we can enter the cathedral at a respectful time when it's open to visitors.
I’ll share the "how" and "why"—how they built these things without modern tech, and why they look the way they do.
Good to Know
- Meeting Point: I’ll send you an exact spot on the island once you book.
- Timing: Try to be there 10 minutes early.
- Weather: Rain is fine—we spend most of the time inside the two buildings.
- Accessibility: These are old buildings with some tight spaces and stairs. Let me know if that's a concern.
- Tickets: I’ll let you know exactly what you need to buy and where to get them.
After You Book
- I’ll send the confirmation and meeting spot.
- I'll check the Mass times for your date and confirm our start order.
- I’ll give you the ticket links so you're ready to go.
FAQ
Are tickets included? No, you’ll need to buy those separately (but I'll send you the links).
Will we definitely go inside Notre-Dame? Yes, that’s the goal. I monitor the schedules to make sure we hit it at the right time.
Is it okay for kids? Yes, the stained glass usually keeps them pretty fascinated.
Message me to check availability or ask about the timing for your date.
Included
- My time as your guide for 3 hours
- A flexible route that adapts to the cathedral's schedule
- Post-tour tips — I’ll send you my favorite spots on the island for a quick bite or a scenic walk.
- Entrance tickets (typically purchased separately)
Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Gallery
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation:
- Up to 30 days before the tour provided no tickets have been booked.
- Partial refund (if tickets have been booked):
- 30+ days before the tour: You will be charged only for the ticket cost.
- 15–7 days before the tour: 50% of the tour price will be charged.
- 7 days–48 hours before the tour: 75% of the tour price will be charged.
- No refunds :
- Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the tour.
- No Shows
- Rescheduling:
- If your plans change, I will do my best to accommodate a new date/time, subject to availability. Please notify me as soon as possible. A small fee may apply to cover any ticket costs.