Timeless churches guide

All you need to know about Notre-Dame de Paris: opening hours, tours, reservations, events

With its thirteen million visitors a year, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is one of the capital's must-sees. A place of worship as well as a monument, it has witnessed the history of Paris since its construction. Since December 8, 2024, the monument is once again accessible. With reservations, year-round concerts and suggested tours, discover all the information you need to prepare your visit to this emblem of Paris, ready to welcome the world.

(Re)discover Royaumont Abbey, the largest Cistercian abbey in Ile-de-France

Just north of Paris, in the Val d'Oise, stands the Abbaye de Royaumont, founded in 1228 by Saint Louis and his mother Blanche de Castille. This royal abbey, the largest Cistercian abbey in the Île-de-France region, is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. With its listed buildings, Royaumont offers a fascinating insight into French medieval history. Many events now take place on the premises, and we take you on a journey of rediscovery.

Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité: the 9th arrondissement's imposing edifice, recognizable by its bell tower

With its imposing allure and 65-meter steeple, the Church of the Holy Trinity has dominated the Chaussée-d'Antin district for over 150 years. Behind its façade lies a history of Haussmannian modernity.

Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce church, a royal edifice near the hospital in the Latin Quarter

Did you know that the Val-de-Grâce church was built at the request of Queen Anne of Austria, in gratitude for the birth of her son, Louis XIV? A majestic building in the 5th arrondissement, the church can be visited at the same time as the Musée du Service de Santé des Armées.

Le Couvent de l'Annonciation, discover this church and its secret cloister in the heart of Paris's 8th arrondissement.

In the 8th arrondissement of Paris, a church with Byzantine charm and an Art Deco cloister are hidden away at the Couvent de l'Annonciation. Founded by the Dominicans in 1613, this discreet and inspiring site is open to visitors free of charge all year round.

The Sainte-Chapelle and its 1113 stained-glass windows, a true Gothic jewel in Paris

The Sainte-Chapelle is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris, with its 1113 colorful stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. This 800-year-old Gothic gem becomes a magical place under the sun.

Le Skit du Saint-Esprit, the unusual treasure hidden in the Mesnil-Saint-Denis forest in the Yvelines department

Have you heard of the Skit du Saint-Esprit, a small Orthodox monastery nestling in the Bois de Fay at Mesnil-Saint-Denis in the Yvelines? This small edifice, which in fact forms 3 churches, reveals a veritable treasure trove hidden within, a must-see for lovers of the unusual and art history.

La Chapelle de La Sorbonne: the little-known architectural jewel of Parisian universities

Built in the 17th century in the Latin Quarter, the Sorbonne chapel embodies the elegance of French classicism, houses the tomb of Richelieu, and bears witness to the intellectual and architectural prestige of the ancient University of Paris. Inaccessible for over 25 years, it is due to reopen to the public in a few years' time.

Did you know: which red-brick church dominates the 17th arrondissement?

Walking - pedaling or driving, as the case may be - from Guy Môquet station to La Fourche, you'll notice this beautiful church, which stands out for the color of its brick.

Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot church, a curious monument between Byzantine art and concrete in the 16th arrondissement

Nestled in the 16th arrondissement, the Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot church impresses with its Romanesque-Byzantine architecture in rough concrete, and its exceptional frescoes and tympanum. This monumental edifice, at once austere and fascinating, is home to a unique spiritual and artistic heritage, part of Parisian history.

Notre-Dame de Boulogne: a Boulogne-Billancourt church becomes a basilica, its history

On Sunday January 12, 2025, the oldest church in Boulogne-Billancourt became a basilica, the first in the Hauts-de-Seine region, during a mass. But how was this change decided, and what is its history?

Saint-Jean-Bosco church, an Art Deco masterpiece in Paris's 20th arrondissement

In the heart of Paris's 20th arrondissement stands the Saint-Jean-Bosco church, an art deco masterpiece dating from the 1930s. Discover this secret and unusual treasure of Parisian heritage.

Saint-Denis Basilica, the necropolis of the Kings of France in Saint-Denis (93), discover its history

How about (re)discovering the Basilique Saint-Denis? Classified as a historical monument, this religious edifice in Saint-Denis (93) is home to the necropolis of the Kings of France, and is a must-see for history buffs and those curious about the region's heritage. We tell you all about it!

Did you know? There's an unusual troglodyte church in the Val d'Oise, just waiting to be discovered.

Did you know that in the Val d'Oise, the Church of the Annunciation at Haute-Isle is the only troglodyte church in the entire region? Carved directly into a chalk cliff and listed as a historic monument, it's an unusual nugget to discover.

Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Orthodox Church of Paris

Paris is home to a magnificent Russian Orthodox cathedral, the Cathédrale Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky, in the 8th arrondissement. An unusual sight on the streets of Paris, its richly decorated interior can be visited 3 times a week!

The Church of the Madeleine, stunning and impressive

The Eglise de la Madeleine as we know it today is the one Napoleon I imagined. Except that, at the time, the building was not intended to be a church, but a Temple of Glory dedicated to the Grande Armée. Its Greco-Roman architecture remains fascinating to this day.

The Eglise du Dôme and the Eglise Saint-Louis-des-Invalides

The Eglise du Dôme and the Eglise Saint-Louis-des-Invalides are in fact one and the same building. We explain it all below!

Sacré-Cœur de Paris, the must-see basilica atop Montmartre hill

The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is one of Paris's must-see monuments. But how much do you know about its history and treasures? We'll take you on a tour of this edifice perched atop the Butte Montmartre, and take a look at what's happening there at the moment!

The unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church in Buttes-Chaumont: A hidden Parisian treasure

In the heart of Paris's Buttes-Chaumont district lies the unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church. Not visible from the street, in the 19th arrondissement, this church is an architectural nugget waiting to be discovered.

Eglise Saint-Sulpice, in the Odéon district - Video

The Eglise Saint-Sulpice is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Paris, and the second largest church in the city after Notre-Dame-de-Paris. It's well worth an extended detour!