More than 800 years old, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is one the city’s most revered attractions. The building is an architectural wonder, and perhaps the most aesthetic structure in the city. Located along the Seine River, the Gothic church sees throngs of visitors daily who come to pray, light a candle or simple climb the narrow spiral stairway to the top of the towers for an inspiring view of the city.

The sculpted façade of the church is detailed in religious bas-relief artwork, complete with gargoyle statues overlooking cathedral from above. As you enter the building you are greeted with an eerie silence and dimness that stings every ounce of sinful nature you may be harboring. In addition to medieval paintings, stained glass windows and more sculpture work, the Notre-Dame houses one of the biggest organs in the world, with 113 stops and 7,800 pipes.

At the top of the South Tower, Emmanuel dangles from wooden scaffolding. Emmanuel is the name of the cathedral’s bell, weighing more than 13 tons. It is more than 400 years old and still rings on significant religious dates or occasions. When visiting any part of the Notre-Dame, be sure to pick up a guidebook or brochure inside the cathedral for deeper insight into the history of the building and its worshippers. Yes, the church stands on its own simply by its beauty, but a tour of this world-famous church is not complete without some information.

Admission to get inside the cathedral is free; however, to get into the towers it costs 35 francs (free for all on the first Sunday of every month). The Notre-Dame is open daily from 8am – 6:45pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 8am – 7:45pm. The towers are open during the summer from 9:30am – 6:30pm, and in the winter from 9:30am – 5:45pm. The Notre-Dame museum is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30pm – 6pm, but is closed some bank holidays. The crypt is open daily from 10am – 6pm, but is closed Mondays and bank holidays.