Île de la Cité Tour for Kids: Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Unlock the Mysteries of Gothic Paris with Your Family
From US$464 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Sainte Chapelle
  • Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior only)
  • Conciergerie
  • Church of Saint-Séverin
  • Saint-Jacques Tower
  • Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
  • Île de la Cité
Photos & Highlights
  • Led by an expert experienced with children, you will unravel the mysteries and architectural wonders of Paris –  all set against the backdrop of the city's medieval charm.
  • An experience tailored to your interests and needs
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Tour Description
Please note that Notre Dame reopened on December 8th, 2024. For the moment, guided tours are not permitted inside of the cathedral. Our tour will dedicate time to introducing the site from the exterior, preparing you for an independent visit following the tour. Our tour does not include Notre Dame tickets; you should plan to either reserve an entrance timeslot via this website 48 hours before you wish to visit or you may choose to wait in line following your tour to enter the cathedral.

Context is also currently developing a digital experience to enhance your independent exploration. Please check back here shortly for updates!



Experience an enchanting 2.5-hour adventure on Île de la Cité with your family. Hosted by an engaging art historian specially skilled in captivating young minds, this immersive walking tour will ignite your children's imaginations as they delve into the mysteries and architectural wonders of Gothic Paris, from intriguing gargoyles to breathtaking stained glass windows.

As you navigate the medieval labyrinth of the Latin Quarter, you'll uncover the birth of the Gothic style, starting with the awe-inspiring Église Saint-Séverin and its ancient bell.
While the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral is currently closed to the public due to a fire, you'll still be able to admire the exterior splendor of this iconic landmark and its gargoyle companions. Next up, is the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic masterpiece with exquisite stained glass windows that offer a fascinating glimpse into the delicate art of glasswork during this era.

Your journey will also take you to the historic Conciergerie – once the residence of France's early royals and later a notorious prison during the Revolution. You'll conclude your tour with a visit to the magnificent Saint-Jacques Tower, a mysterious Gothic belfry filled with intriguing sculptures.

By the end of this adventure, your young adventurers will have a solid understanding of Gothic architecture and be inspired to continue their exploration of Paris's rich history. Prepare for a memorable experience that sparks their curiosity.
Experts
Heidi Heidi
Art Historian
Abigail Abigail
Local Guide
Marie Marie
Art Historian
Anthony Anthony
Art Historian
Sarah Sarah
Art Historian
Béate Béate
Art Historian/Local Guide
Jessica Jessica
Local Guide
Lindsey Lindsey
Art Historian
Pablo Jesus Pablo Jesus
Historian
Carine Carine
Art Historian
Rémy Rémy
Local Guide
Laurent Laurent
Local Guide
Cecile Cecile
Local Guide
Violette Violette
Art Historian
Celia Celia
Local Guide
Marine Marine
Art Historian
Barbara Barbara
Art Historian
Stéphanie Stéphanie
Local Guide
Does this tour include climbing the bell towers of Notre Dame or a visit of the interior? Will we be visiting the crypt as well?
Due to the fire in 2019, these spaces remain closed to the general public. While the sanctuary is now open to the public, guided tours are not allowed. Our tour will introduce the site from the exterior, preparing you for an independent visit following the tour. Our tour does not include tickets to Notre Dame; you should plan to either reserve an entrance timeslot via this website 48 hours before you wish to visit or you may choose to wait in line following your tour to enter the cathedral.

Does this tour include climbing the Saint-Jacques Tower?
No, the tour does not include climbing the Saint-Jacques Tower. However, if you'd like to visit the tower, your guide can assist you in purchasing tickets at the end of the tour.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Sainte-Chapelle is wheelchair accessible, but the Conciergerie is unfortunately not.

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
Generally speaking, the tour begins near Place Saint-Michel. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map. The tour typically ends on the Ile de la Cité.

What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Will you pre-purchase tickets?
We pre-purchase tickets to the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie - your guide will have them on hand. The tour does not include tickets to Notre Dame Cathedral or Saint-Jacques Tower.

What are skip-the-line tickets?
Skip-the-line tickets allow you to bypass the ticket purchasing line and go directly to the security line at the chapel. However, you may still need to wait in the security line, which can move slowly due to increased security at the Justice Palace next door.

Can I use the Museum Pass?
Unfortunately, the Museum Pass cannot be used for this tour. Tickets are mandatory and cannot be canceled or modified. While the Museum Pass is accepted at both the Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie, it does not guarantee skip-the-line access. Instead, we use E-tickets to expedite entry to Sainte-Chapelle due to long waiting lines.

What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to directly enter the security line at the chapel without waiting to purchase tickets, rather than taking a detour to the onsite ticketing office. You will still have to wait in a security line, which can often move slowly due to increased security at the Justice Palace next door. 
Where You'll Start
(4.53) 114 Reviews

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Marie was an amazing tour guide! We learned so much about gothic architecture and saw many hidden gems in Paris.
Terrible tour all around. Our guide gave the kids two note pads and then never engaged them again. We've done plenty of kid focused tours and they have all been wonderful, this one was a complete waste of time and money. She was completely uninspiring and most of all showed no interesting in the kids or making them excited about the city at all. I wish we would have walked about those sites on our own. We have an upcoming louvre tour coming up and I can only hope it isn't as bad as those one.
She was wonderful. Can’t wait to send clients to her