Notre-Dame closed for three days, traffic disrupted... what changes with the Pope's visit to Paris

You had planned to push open the doors of Notre-Dame at the end of September? You’ll have to wait a little longer. The cathedral will be closed to the public for three days to mark Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Paris, with several traffic and parking disruptions expected in the area.

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.

Pope Leo XIV's visit to Paris: Notre-Dame, the Stade de France, the Champs-Élysées… the full schedule
Notre-Dame, the Stade de France, the Champs-Élysées, the Place de la Concorde… Pope Leo XIV will be in Paris on September 25 and 26, 2026 for a series of religious and official engagements. The programme, public highlights and practical information: here are the essentials. [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.

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.

The surroundings of Notre-Dame will also be subject to tight restrictions on September 24 and 25 in connection with the Pope’s visit.

Protective perimeter: Friday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., around the Notre-Dame forecourt – Place Jean-Paul II.

Parking prohibited: from Thursday, September 24 at 11 a.m. to Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m.

Motor vehicle traffic banned: starting September 24 at 9 p.m. on the Quai du Marché-Neuf and the Pont Saint-Michel.

Expanded restrictions: from 6 a.m. on September 25 on Île de la Cité, part of Île Saint-Louis and the river quays.

Waterway traffic suspended: on September 25 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Bras de la Monnaie and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Bras Marie.