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Paris – Notre Dame & Ile de la Cite |
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This is the oldest part of Paris – kids can just close their eyes and the history of Paris will rush out from the stones. Around 300 BC, a Celtic tribe called the Parisii plunked themselves down on the islands in the Seine. Things went on from there – the Romans used the river as a trade route, in later centuries the island was a crowded medieval city, from which Notre Dame cathedral rose to its glorious heights. During the French revolution, Marie Antoinette stuck it out in her cell in the Conciergerie prison. | |
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Notre Dame Cathedral – |
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NOTRE DAME is now open. |
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Cathedral is free, timed entry reservation required. |
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Slowly walk through the cathedral, soaking up the glorious stained glass windows and those airy Gothic stone arches that gracefully bridge the empty spaces and meet in the middle at the keystone. When this cathedral was built in the Middle Ages, there were no architectural drawing programs, no cranes to hoist everything up, no nail guns, no steel, and yet, Notre Dame de Paris stands as a stunning example of the lightness of stone. |
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Tip: We'll update more information, as it becomes available, about visiting the cathedral. |
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After you've goggled at the gargoyles, step into the belfry to see the Emmanuel bell, the huge 13 ton bell that's rung for great occasions. There are 11 great bells of Notre Dame, and at various times of the day, you'll hear the bells rung. |
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Continue climbing up the next steps to top of the tower, with fabulous views of the cathedral spire, flying buttresses that keep the church from falling down, and fabulous views of Ile de la Cite and Paris in all directions. |
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The South Tower is something for kids of all ages (even petulant teenagers will be impressed), and it's not a guided tour per se, so children can go at their own pace. Wire netting is put up at all open-air places, no there's no worry about little kids getting too close to the edge. The steps up the tower are easy to climb (we saw lots of little kids going up), but the steps are quite narrow, and it wouldn't be easy to manage with an infant in a baby backpack. The tower is open daily. |
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Notre Dame play place – After you’ve visited the cathedral, there is a charming little play area on the south side of the church, with little bouncy things and park benches. Any exhausted parent can sit peacefully to watch the boats on the Seine, while the kids play under the shadow of this magnificent cathedral. | |
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Sainte-Chapelle – Don't miss this luminous gem of 13th century Gothic architecture. In the Upper Chapel, sit down briefly to gaze at the ethereal blue and red stained glass windows. Go down to the Lower Chapel, originally a shrine to display holy relics. On the ceiling, gilded stars sparkle in a deep blue ceiling, supported by columns covered with golden fleur-de-lis and painted castles. |
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Tip: Sainte-Chapelle is free with the Paris Pass. |
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Square du Vert-Galant – At the western tip of Ile de la Cite (at the Pont de Neuf) is a small shady park with benches. Grab a sandwich and eat your lunch outdoors in the sunshine, watching boats go by on the Seine. |
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Go for an ice cream – Walk south over to the Ile St-Louis for an ice cream at Berthillon (right next to the bridge that connects Ile de la Cite with Ile St-Louis). Delicious flavors of ice cream and sorbet – chocolate, vanilla, nougat, raspberry, strawberry, lemon, pear, orange and more. Long lines in summer, but a fun treat. Kids can sit on the embankment, munching their ice creams, with Notre Dame in the background. |
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Discover Gothic Paris, Ile de la Cite, exterior of Notre Dame, stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle, and more on a private family walking tour: |
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Ile-de-la-Cite Tour for Kids | ||
Cathedral exterior – At the main entrance, in the central portal is a Last Judgement scene, on the left angel holding a scale, along with the saved, devils and people headed to hell on the right, Christ is above. The long line of statues above the cathedral are kings of Judah (all wear crowns). Tip: Bring binoculars to look at the sculptures higher up.