a day ago
Rediscovering Notre Dame with Finding France
Americans touring Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral for the first time since its reopening in December will find a very different visitor experience than they did before the 2019 fire that destroyed parts of the interior, its roof and, most heartbreakingly, its spire.
Before the fire, there were always crowds hanging out in front of the cathedral -- often more people than were actually inside -- meeting friends, taking selfies and enjoying the dramatic backdrop of its facade.
Fast-forward to today, and the crowds have grown exponentially and morphed into long lines of people standing outside the entrance waiting to get in. Wait times vary depending on the day of the week and time of day and can range from 15 minutes to more than two hours.
Strategies for shortening that time include going first thing in the morning or booking complimentary, timed entry tickets online -- although, fair warning, they book out quickly.
Travel advisors looking to spare their clients from the hassle factor and elevate the tour experience into something unforgettable have a new option, via Finding France, a luxury DMC that was recently named a Top Travel Specialist 2025 by Conde Nast Traveler.
During my most recent trip to Paris, my husband and I took a two-hour, behind-the-scenes exploration of Notre Dame that not only bypassed the line altogether but was guided by Philippe Giraud, a master sculptor who is fluent in English and played a key role in the restoration.
"All visits with [Giraud] are exclusively arranged through Finding France," said Clement Decre, the company's founder and CEO, stressing the proprietary relationship with the sculptor.
Philippe Giraud, a master sculptor who played a key role in the restoration of Notre Dame, led the author's private tour of the cathedral. It was arranged by Finding France. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Finding France
Expert insights
Giraud led us past the crowds and into the cathedral, stopping at key points to point out where fire damage had occurred, how the restoration was accomplished and how some of the areas were not only restored but enhanced with new features. The names of firefighters, for example, are displayed in some areas, as are those of restoration artisans and sculptors.
A key attraction is the display of the Crown of Thorns, a venerated relic that is now showcased in a glittering, gilded cedarwood display designed by architect Sylvain Dubuisson.
Because these tours are private -- we were the only participants -- we were able to interact with Giraud, ask questions and listen to his fascinating anecdotes about the restoration.
For example, we stopped in front of a statue of the Madonna, which was positioned under the destroyed open roof. When the firefighters got inside, Giraud told us, they saw that a simmering ember had landed on the statue's foot. They caught it before the whole statue went up in flames.
He also took us through the reliquary, the part of the cathedral that houses relics of saints as well as a purported piece of Christ's cross and a nail from the crucifixion.
When the soot was removed from the stained-glass windows, they emerged in vibrant glory. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Finding France
Giraud had worked on Notre Dame's spire itself, so as we walked us through the structure he was regularly recognized by the people who tend the cathedral's interior. At one point, he showed us the tools he used for parts of the restoration, and at another he pointed out the dome that, after the ravages of the fire, had been open to the sky, leaving the floor and priceless artifacts covered in soot.
The rose windows miraculously escaped fire damage, he said, but they had been so covered in soot that the subsequent cleaning revealed brightly colored stained glass that hadn't looked so vivid in generations.
We ended our tour on the bank of the Seine with a direct side view of Notre Dame. From this angle, the enormity of the task of restoring the spire became even more clear, and Giraud made the process come alive with his own personal photos of the work in progress.
Our tour costs about $2,285 for one to four participants, although experiences for larger groups are available by request.
Participants can opt for a hotel pick-up and drop-off in Paris with a private chauffeur in an air-conditioned vehicle for about an additional $310.
The cathedral's famous gargoyles were lovingly restored during the reconstruction. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Finding France
Tours from Paris
In addition to fully customized, all-inclusive, multiday trips for individual travelers, small groups and incentive travel throughout France, Finding France also offers full- and half-day tours from Paris.
The Notre Dame tour can also be part of a multiday program, for example, that includes such distinctive features as a "French Etiquette 101: Crack the Code to French Culture" experience and an "In Your Ancestor's Footsteps in Normandy" option.
Other Finding France insider tours include exclusive access to the secret tunnel of the Chateau du Clos Luce in the Loire Valley, where Leonardo da Vinci used to secretly meet the King of France; a behind-the-scenes tour of Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the largest privately owned estate in France and just one hour from Paris; and a visit with a Christmas ornament engraver that ends with a chance to create and take home a personalized decoration.
Finding France has offices in Paris and Provence, and customizable experiences are available throughout the destination.
Rates are net, or with a travel advisor commission built in, Decre said.
