If you had planned to visit Notre-Dame de Paris on September 24, 25 or 26, 2026, plans must change: the renowned Parisian cathedral will be exceptionally closed to the public due to the arrival of Pope Leo XIV. An opportunity then arises: to discover the extraordinary and sometimes little-known churches hidden in the capital, whether for a moment of prayer, a Mass, or a visit.
Notre-Dame closed this weekend for the Pope's visit: what you need to know
Notre-Dame is closed to the public this weekend. Here are the closures and restrictions in place around Île de la Cité. [Read more]
From the top of the Montmartre hill, the basilique du Sacré-Cœur and its immaculate whiteness dominate Paris, while near the Louvre and on the Halles side, Saint-Germain de l'Auxerrois and Saint-Eustache captivate passers-by with their Gothic architectures. And in the maze of Parisian streets, surprising buildings are worth getting to know.
One can thus stumble upon, while wandering a street in the 20th arrondissement, an imposing art deco church that suddenly reveals itself to passers-by, while a more discreet building in the 14th displays a metal structure. And the great discoveries don’t stop at Paris: beyond the périphérique, the necropolis of the kings of France tucked inside the basilica Saint-Denis awaits history enthusiasts.
Ready to dive in? Has your curiosity been sparked? Here are the remarkable churches to discover in Paris and Île-de-France.
Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Church: the building designed by the same architect as Gare du Nord
The Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Church, in the 10th arrondissement, boasts striking neoclassical architecture dating from the 19th century, set in the heart of the former Saint-Lazare precinct. A sanctuary with two twin towers that houses unique treasures. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Mantes, nicknamed "the little sister of Notre-Dame de Paris".
In the Yvelines region, in the heart of the town of Mantes-La-Jolie, the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Mantes is one of the treasures of the Île-de-France region. This impressive church, listed as a Monument Historique, is also nicknamed "Notre-Dame de Paris's little sister". [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 24, 2026 to September 26, 2026
Notre-Dame closed this weekend for the Pope's visit: what you need to know
