The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris has been widely referred to being one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Both the outside and inside is beautiful, with large stained glass windows, Gothic art, statues, and a treasury.
When I first visited Notre-Dame in 2012, I did not realize that there was a special tour that went up into the bell towers. The doorway is on the northeast side (to the left around the corner from the main entry), which take you up spiraling stairs all the way up to the top. You're given the opportunity to see some of the best views of Paris, including the gargoyles all along the cathedral, and a stop in the very top to see the church bells.
Tours begin at 10 AM; however, by that point, the line is normally very long and sometimes stretch around the cathedral. So you can either arrive very early and wait in line for a couple hours, or you can use an app to reserve your spot in line and be one of the first to go up.
In the Google Play store or Apple Store, search for DuckTheLine (or Jefile, as it was originally called). This app will let you reserve your spot in line and the time you choose. It allows you to start reserving beginning at 7:30 AM, and must be done on the day of visiting. If you don’t have a Paris Museum Pass, the cost will 10€, which you can use either cash or credit card to purchase. Enjoy!
