The Best Alternatives to Notre-Dame After the Fire

As a result of the devastating fire of April 2019, the beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris has been closed off to visitors. While you can still see the cathedral from outside on Île de la Cité, it is currently undergoing restoration. In addition, the area surrounding the cathedral is blocked for safety reasons. We understand that the Notre-Dame cathedral is one of Paris’ most popular attractions and while it’s on a league of its own, we have created a short list of other attractions in Paris that compare in different ways. In order to NOT feel like you are missing out, this article will provide information and tips about where you can explore other medieval art and treasure while Notre Dame is being restored.

Where to Find the Best Views of Paris Besides Notre-Dame

1 – Basilique du Sacré Coeur

Located in Montmartre, Sacré Coeur offers outstanding views of Paris. From the steps, you have a wonderful view of the city but if you want to see even more, you can climb up to the dome for a 360­º view! It is free to visit the inside of the basilica and the crypt, but to see the panoramic view from the dome, you will have to buy a ticket AND climb over 300 steps. Tickets are available for purchase at the basilica. Access to the dome also varies, depending on time of the year and weather (see below)!

Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris
Metro: Abbesses (M12) or Anvers (M2)
Price: Ticket prices varies from 5 to 7€ per person
Hours of Operation: November to February 10am to 5:30pm; March to May 9:30am to 7pm; June to September 9am to 8:30pm

2 – Tour Saint-Jacques

The Tour Saint-Jacques is the highest point in central Paris, standing at 52 meters (170 feet) high. Access to the summit is via a small staircase with 300 steps! The flamboyant Gothic Tower is all that remains of the former 16^th century church which was demolished during the French Revolution. With such interesting history and a great view of the city, the Tour Saint-Jacques serves as a great Notre-Dame alternative.

Address: Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques, 75004 Paris
Metro: Châtelet (M1, 4, 7, 11, 14)
Price: Full price, 10 €; reduced rate, € 8 (under 18, students and job seekers). Visitors under 10 are not able to go on the tour. Reserve your tickets here.
Hours of Operation: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm (tours take place every hour) during the summer ONLY.

Tickets can be found online or purchased on site for the same day.

3 – Panthéon

In the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon was built as a church dedicated to the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve. During the French Revolution, it was secularized and converted into a mausoleum for the remains of distinguished French citizens. Fifty-eight distinguished French citizens are buried at Panthéon including Emile Zola, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, Louis Braille, and Alexandre Dumas. Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, the structure boasts a beautiful dome that looks out over Paris.

Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (M10) or Place Monge (M7)
Price: Full price, 9€; reduced rate, 7€ (European Union member under 26 years old). Reserve your tickets here.
Hours of Operation: January 2 to March 31 10am to 6pm; April 1 to September 30 10am to 6:30pm; October 1 to December 31 10am to 6pm (exceptions: January 1, May 1, December 25 and the morning of June 17)

Tickets can be found online or purchased on site for the same day.

Where to Find the Best Gothic Architecture Besides Notre- Dame

1 – Basilique Saint Denis

Another alternative church to Notre-Dame is the Basilique Saint Denis. A large medieval church in the city of Saint-Denis, a suburb North of Paris, the basilica dates back to 1135 and is the first Gothic cathedral in the world! Built on the grave of Saint- Denis, the basilica serves as the final resting place for the kings and queens of France. A major work of Gothic art, the basilica was the first to place a great importance on light in religious architecture. You can book your semi-private guided tour here!

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 93200 Saint-Denis
Metro: Basilique de Saint-Denis (M13)
Price: Full price 9,50€; reduced rate 7€; free for under 18 years old; Reserve your tickets here
Hours of Operation: January 2 to March 3 Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5:15pm and Sunday, 12pm to 5:15pm; April 1 to September 30 Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6:15pm and Sunday, 12pm to 6:15pm; October 1 to December 31 Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5:15pm and Sunday, 12pm to 5:15pm (exceptions: January 1, May 1, and December 25)

Tickets can be found online or purchased on site for the same day.

2 – Sainte Chapelle

Located within the medieval Palais de la Cité, the residence of the Kings of France until the 14^th century, Sainte Chapelle is a Gothic style royal chapel. Construction began around 1238. Commissioned by King Louis IX, the church was built to house his collection of Passion relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns. One of the most important relics in medieval Christendom, the Crown was moved to Notre-Dame in 1806 but thankfully survived the Notre-Dame fire!

Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris
Metro: Cité (M4)
Price: Full price, 11€; reduced rate, 9€. Reserve your tickets here
Hours of Operation: January 2 to March 31 9am to 5pm; April 1 to September 30 9am to 7pm; October 1 to December 31 9am to 7pm (exceptions: January 1, May 1, and December 25)

Tickets can be found online or purchased on site for the same day.

3 – Saint- Eustache

Situated in historic district of Les Halles, Saint- Eustache exemplifies a mixture of multiple architectural styles. Gothic on the outside and classical on the inside, this church was built between 1532 and 1632 but the architect is unknown. While the structure itself is extraordinarily beautiful, the church has also served a very important purpose since the Notre-Dame fire—the Easter Mass of Notre-Dame was relocated to Saint-Eustache in 2019.

Address: 146 rue Rambuteau, 75001 Paris
Metro: Les Halles (M4)
Price: Free
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 7pm; Saturday 10am to 7:15pm; Sunday 9:15am to 7:15pm

Where to Find the Best Frescos and Paintings Besides Notre-Dame

1 – Church of Saint- Sulpice

For the best frescos and paintings in a Parisian church after the Notre-Dame fire, look to the Church of Saint-Sulpice. Located in the Latin Quarter, Saint-Sulpice is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Sulpitius the Pious. It is only slighter smaller than Notre-Dame, making it the second largest church in Paris. The dome of the church contains a fresco from 1734 by François Lemoyne that depicts the Assumption of Mary. The dome offers natural light that only makes the fresco that much more beautiful. The church also houses a chapel decorated entirely by Delacroix!

Address: 2 Rue Palatine, 75006 Paris
Metro: Saint Sulpice (M4)
Price: Visits are free
Hours of Operation: Open everyday from 7:30am to 7:30pm

The church offers tours every Sunday at 2:30pm in French, and tourists are welcome every Saturday from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. For English tours, visit the church on the 1^st Sunday of the month at 12:45pm. You can also visit the crypts the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 3pm and the upper parts of the façade, not including the towers, every fourth Saturday of the month at 2pm. The church also hosts more ‘thematic experiences,’ so check out their website.

2 – Église Saint-François-Xavier

A fine representation of late 19^th-century architecture, the Église Saint-François-Xavier was built with a metal structure. However, you would never know! The profusion of stone and murals in no way suggests that the church was built with iron. There are four frescoes by Charles Crauk on both sides of the choir. The frescoes illustrate the life of Saint-François-Xavier. In addition to the frescoes, the dome is decorated with paintings by Charles Lameire which depicts the twelve apostles around the Lamb. There are also three other major works to see here! The masterpieces include La Cène (Le Tintoret), The Virgin and Child (Baugin), and La Communion (Lerolle).

Address: 12 Place du Président Mithouard, 75007 Paris
Metro: Saint-François-Xavier (M13)
Price: Free!
Hours of Operation: Monday 3:45pm to 6:45pm; Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am to 12:30pm, 3:45pm to 6:45pm; Closed to visitors on Sundays

3 – Eglise Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis

Located in the heart of Le Marais, the church was constructed from 1627 to 1641 by the orders of King Louis XIII. Named in memory of the church of Saint- Paul, which was demolished in 1796, Eglise Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis features two-clamshell holy water holders from Victor Hugo. The church also features works from Delacroix and Pilon. To the left of the altar is Delacroix’s Christ in Agony on the Mount of Olives, which was painted for the church. Pilon’s La vierge del Douleur is also at the church.

Address: 99 Rue St. Antoine, 75004 Paris
Metro: Saint- Paul (M1)
Price: Free
Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm

On the 1^st and 2^nd Sunday of every month, the church hosts general visits to the church. Visits are organized by volunteers and take place at 3pm. A thematic visit takes place the 4^th Sunday of each month at 3pm.

Where to Find the Best Organs Besides Notre-Dame

1 – Saint- Eustache

While the Gothic style church features exquisite paintings and stained glass, the 16^th century organ alone is worth the visit! With 8,000 pipes, the organ of Saint- Eustache is the largest pipe organ in France following the Notre-Dame fire. Visitors can listen to organ recitals by resident organists on Sundays from 5:30pm to 6pm. Queen Elizabeth even attended its rededication with Paris Mayor, and later president, Jacques Chirac. It’s truly a church for both queens and presidents alike!

Address: 146 rue Rambuteau, 75001 Paris
Metro: Les Halles (M4)
Price: Free
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 7pm; Saturday: 10am to 7:15pm; Sunday: 9:15am to 7:15pm

2 – Église de la Madeleine

The last alternative church to Notre-Dame is the Église de la Madeleine. The church was built in the neo-classical style to represent Maison Carrée, one of the best-persevered Roman temples in France, and was designed as a temple to the glory of Napoleon’s army. Its construction took over 85 years due to political unrest in France. However, before the building was a church, it was actually a railway station – the first in Paris! Today, the church is known for its great organ. The organ was built between 1845 and 1846 by famous organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Currently the organ includes 60 set, including 46 from Cavaillé-Coll, and 4426 pipes. The organ itself is classified as a historic monument.

Address: Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris
Metro: Madeleine (M8, 12, 14)
Price: Free
Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday: 9:30am to 7pm