Following the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after the devastating fire on April 15th 2019, one new idea to add to your Paris itinerary might be to take part in an evening concert at Notre Dame.
These are held on almost every Tuesday but occasionally on other dates too. I’ve been to a Notre Dame concert practically every month since January and they have always been ‘interesting’ some amazing and some plain wild as the music styles I’ve heard encompassed everything from Gregorian chanting to 15 minutes of what can only be described in my brain as breaking glass LOL.
Tickets are already on sale for those Notre Dame concerts already confimed up to August 2026. This link is in French and I’ve done that on purpose. By all means change the language to English but note that for certain concerts access is listed on the French pages – perfect examples being the concert with YoYo Ma in March and the concert with the Ukrainian National Symphony orchestra in July!
If there is a Tuesday without a concert it is very possible it will be filled later in the season. If tickets are listed as Sold Out don’t worry because they re-release more tickets about 3-5 days prior to the concert. Make a diary note 🙂
PRICING
Pricing is €25 for an organ recital. For all other concerts there is an option to pay €40 too. There is no ‘stage’ for the performers and obviously for an organ recital it doesn’t matter where you sit to listen however it’s a good idea to be close to one of the big screens between the columns because then you will be able to watch the organist’s hands and feet moving like mad over the 5 keyboards and zillions of pedals!
Paying €40 allows you to be seated in the front section of about 25 rows. However, if you have my luck you will still be sitting behind the ‘Dutch family’ and not see a thing (me on row 3) LOL.
SEATING
There is seating for the Notre Dame concerts for 1 300 people in three aisles; the larger central aisle and aisles both left and right, each side of the columns. There are also a few seats at the front for people sitting with their backs to the North and South windows looking side-on to those singing / playing.
The seats are only 50cm wide, they are flat, wooden and very unforgiving for boney bottoms and they are attached in rows so in winter when wearing your bulky coat it’s a really tight squeeze!
Every concert is sold out and you get your seat on a ‘first come first served’ basis, therefore, if you are keen, it’s a good idea to get in line early in front of the Cathedral, like not long after 7pm!
ONCE INSIDE :
As you lined up an hour ago and took advantage of the toilets in whatever brasserie you were in prior (I recommend an early supper at Brasserie Les Deux Palais, there are also public toilets to the right of the Cathedral which is signposted ‘somewhere’, you are very likely in the first 100 to enter the Cathedral. You now have 30 minutes before the concert starts to wander down either side to look at the various chapels etc and take photos.
Unfortunately this isn’t an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone and visit the whole Cathedral as access is blocked past the North and South Rose windows around the back of the alter. Plus, security whoosh you out after the concert and make sure you head straight to the door.
PRACTICALITIES :
- You cannot take photographs during the performances and the priest who makes the welcome speech and introduces the performance will say this – In French.
- Dress Code (English page) : You MUST NOT wear a hat. You MUST cover your shoulders. However – Dress code (French page) : Dress code is ‘respectful’ and you are encouraged to wear clothing that covers your shoulders, chest, stomach and thighs and not to wear tight fitting or see-through clothing.
- The gift shop will not be open during concerts.
- No luggage or big bags are allowed inside the Cathedral and it’s not a good idea to even take a backpack or very large handbag to the concert because you will be the people pulled over for a bag search, no-one else, which will slow down your ability to get the best seats!!!
- You are expected to be quiet once inside – you cannot make phone calls!!
- I repeat, there are NO toilets inside ☹
A très bientôt,
Do join me on Facebook for more wittering about Paris 🙂
