No-one can forget seeing the pictures of the fire at Notre Dame in Paris in 2019. It was so distressing witnessing such an iconic masterpiece being so badly damaged, although huge credit must go to the firefighters who managed to limit the fire’s effects.

Fast forward 7 years, and the cathedral is back open to the public, and an incredible example of what can come from such a disaster. Thanks to the thousands of people who have worked on the multi-year restoration, including carpenters, painters and stonemasons, Notre Dame is an absolute must for any visitor to Paris.

I have to admit, I was a little sceptical about standing in a queue in the Parisian heat outside with hundreds of other people (specific timed entrance slots get booked up extremely quickly). But the queue moved quickly – we were inside in less than half an hour, and in the meantime it was an excellent people watching experience as well as the ideal chance to look at the detailed façade of the cathedral with its unmistakeable profile.

And the queue was absolutely worth it. The interior is light and airy, with beautiful stone flying buttresses, the newly cleaned and restored Great Organ, and more stained glass than I think I’ve ever seen in any other cathedral, including the giant rose windows in the transepts. I was particularly struck by how, despite the large number of visitors, it still felt spacious, with plenty of room for individual contemplation and reflection.

General admission tickets are free, but Kirker now offers 2 hour private tours of the cathedral – we always recommend private tours as a way of getting under the skin of a destination. There are also regular concerts and organ recitals, so please do get in touch with our Concierge team to find out more.

Notre Dame is a fascinating balance of looking back over hundreds of years of history, and looking forward to what the future holds for the cathedral and the city of Paris. If I’m ever lucky enough to return to the city, I wouldn’t hesitate to visit again.