Our Favorite Spots Around Notre-Dame de Paris

© Guillaume Bontemps - Ville de Paris

After years of restoration work following the devastating 2019 fire, Notre-Dame Cathedral has regained all of its former glory. Yet surprisingly, many visitors overlook the opportunity to rediscover this iconic landmark, admired around the world and welcoming an average of 30,000 visitors every day. If you need a reason to return, here’s our guide to the best places to visit nearby—perfect for planning your next weekend getaway on Île de la Cité.

“Every face, every stone of this venerable monument is a page not only of the history of the country, but also of the history of science and art,” wrote Victor Hugo in 1831.

With its intricate stone lacework, majestic stained-glass windows, and 54 gargoyles, Notre-Dame de Paris ranks among the ten most visited monuments in the world. Standing proudly in the heart of the city, it is almost as visible as the Eiffel Tower itself. This masterpiece of Gothic architecture remains one of the true jewels of the French capital.

But have you ever taken the time to walk through its monumental doors? Inside, countless treasures enrich its heritage: paintings, sculptures, stained glass, tapestries, and more than 2,000 sacred objects that make up the famous Treasury of Notre-Dame. The perfect excuse to finally explore it in depth. Our tip? Book your free admission ticket online in advance to enjoy a faster entry line once you arrive.

Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Paris 4th arrondissement. Open Monday to Friday from 7:50 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until 10 p.m. on Thursdays) and weekends from 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free admission. Online reservations available.

© Façade: Guillaume Bontemps - Ville de Paris / Interior: Jean-Baptiste Gurliat - Ville de Paris

Finding a good restaurant around Notre-Dame can be challenging, as tourist traps have multiplied over the years. A much better option is La Dame de Paris, where Laurent Martinet serves delicious light bites and classic French bistro dishes in a charming dining room complete with a terrace and impeccable service.

Among the house favorites: a beautifully crafted Lorraine quiche with mixed greens (€17), a shareable Roman-style pinsa topped with tomato, mozzarella, and pesto (€21), a mushroom omelet (€16), or a Caesar salad (€20).

The highlight? The chef, originally trained as a pastry chef, showcases his sweet creations from the boutique located directly across the street. While you can certainly grab pastries to go, they also make the perfect dessert after lunch: a delightful Paris-Brest, an orange blossom tropézienne, or a pistachio and raspberry religieuse (€12 when dining in).

La Dame de Paris, 11 Rue d'Arcole, Paris 4th arrondissement. Tel: +33 1 43 54 19 45. Restaurant open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Boutique open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We all scream for ice cream!” And what better ice cream than Berthillon?

For more than 60 years, this legendary ice cream maker on Île Saint-Louis has supplied some of Paris’s finest restaurants while serving its own visitors an impressive selection of around forty flavors. Classics such as dark chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, and caramel sit alongside more unusual options including cinnamon, rhubarb, hazelnut gianduja, and even roasted pineapple with basil.

Choose between enjoying a cone (€4 per scoop) while strolling through the historic streets or taking a seat in the elegant tearoom, adorned with wood paneling and gilded décor. The menu features towering ice cream sundaes (with whipped cream, naturally), refreshing sorbets, and indulgent frozen desserts.

Berthillon, 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, Paris 4th arrondissement. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This summer, Bateaux Parisiens is launching a special cruise dedicated to Notre-Dame de Paris.

Board at Quai de Montebello, directly beside the cathedral, and step aboard Le Jean Marais. For more than an hour, you’ll glide past some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks while sipping a glass of Pommery champagne.

The route includes views of Île Saint-Louis, the Conciergerie, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, and the Eiffel Tower before heading back past Les Invalides, the National Assembly, Musée d’Orsay, and the Institut de France, finally returning to Quai de Montebello. 

Departures at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 10 p.m. from Quai de Montebello, Paris 5th arrondissement. Fridays and Saturdays from April 3 to June 14; Thursday to Saturday from June 15 to June 28; and Tuesday to Saturday from July 1 to August 30. €39 per person.

Looking for a little thrill? Head to the Conciergerie on Île de la Cité, the historic palace and former prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution.

Now a fascinating museum and UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers yet another compelling reason to visit the area—especially since it is only a five-minute walk from the world’s most famous cathedral.

Even better, regular events add an extra layer of excitement to your visit, from culinary workshops and storytelling tours to immersive mystery games. Dare to explore the prison cells and climb the same staircases once used by prisoners on their way to the guillotine.

La Conciergerie, 2 Boulevard du Palais, Paris 1st arrondissement. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. More information about events available online.

Centre des monuments nationaux © Colombe Clier - Caroline Rose - Benjamin Gavaudo

Travel through time with Éternelle Notre-Dame, an immersive virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a journey across the centuries.

This extraordinary digital reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral grants access to areas usually closed to the public, revealing hidden spaces and historical moments in stunning detail. An unforgettable experience located directly on the cathedral forecourt itself.

Éternelle Notre-Dame, Parvis Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, Paris 4th arrondissement, until July 27, 2025. From €30.99.

© Eternelle Notre Dame

• Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation, designed by architect Georges-Henri Pingusson (Square de l’Île de France, 7 Quai de l'Archevêché, Paris 4th arrondissement).
• Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II, the iconic flower market beloved by Queen Elizabeth II (Place Louis Lépine and Quai de la Corse, Paris 4th arrondissement).
• Square du Vert-Galant, offering one of the most beautiful views over the Seine (15 Place du Pont Neuf, Paris 1st arrondissement).

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