Notre-Dame de Paris to be closed for several days in September: why, and which dates should be avoided?

If Notre‑Dame de Paris is on your fall programme, it’s worth double-checking the date before you walk onto the forecourt. The cathedral will be unusually closed from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, 2026 inclusive, due to the visit of Pope Leo XIV. During these three days, the building will be inaccessible, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit.

Visite du pape Léon XIV à Paris : le pape's papamobile, Notre-Dame, Stade de France... the itinerary is taking shape
Pope Leo XIV will make a stop in Paris on September 25 and 26, 2026, before continuing his apostolic journey to Lourdes and then to Metz. In the capital, his schedule is taking shape around several major events: a papamobile ride, Vespers at Notre-Dame de Paris, a youth vigil at the Stade de France, and a large open-air Mass between the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées. [Read more]

The closure marks a key milestone in Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic tour in France, slated for September 25-28, 2026. The pontiff will visit Paris, Lourdes and Metz. In the capital, one of the highlights will take place at Notre-Dame, where he will celebrate Vespers with priests, deacons, religious men and women, seminarians and other consecrated persons from France.

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This event will not be limited to those physically inside the cathedral: the vespers will be broadcast live. On the visiting side, however, there are no exceptions: if you planned to discover Notre-Dame during that period, it’s best to move your visit a few days earlier or later.