Audio Guide Details
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Product Type
- Audio Guide
- Venues
-
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- La Crypte archéologique du Parvis Notre-Dame
Preview
Renovation, Restoration and Rebirth: Notre Dame Audio Guide
Crypte Archéologique de l'İle de la Cité
Crossing Vault
Joan of Arc
Photos & Highlights
Audio Guide Description
For nearly nine centuries, Notre Dame de Paris has stood as a quiet witness to shifting artistic movements, political tides, and spiritual traditions.
Join art historian Lindsey Hansen, a Context Travel expert in medieval French Gothic architecture, on this 90-minute Notre Dame self-guided audio tour through its newly restored spaces—a UNESCO World Heritage site that has endured destruction and emerged anew, most notably after the 2019 fire. With Lindsey’s insights, you’ll uncover the layers of history that have shaped this iconic landmark, from its ancient beginnings to its modern rebirth.
Your audio tour begins in the cathedral’s front square, guiding you through its most cherished spaces, like the soaring central nave and the ambulatory chapels adorned with funerary monuments of France’s nobility. Along the way, you’ll discover how to distinguish the medieval origins from later additions and the latest restoration efforts.
The tour concludes at the awe-inspiring Grand Organ, where Lindsey will help you decipher Notre Dame’s story through its architecture—from its 12th-century roots, through Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century revival, to its 21st-century renewal.
During this intimate 90-minute self-guided audio tour, you’ll also have the chance to:
• Gaze at the stunning north and south rose windows, crafted in the 1260s to reflect the elegant Rayonnant Gothic style
• Examine the delicate carvings of Christ’s life on a 14th-century choir screen, miraculously preserved through centuries of turmoil
• Behold the Crown of Thorns reliquary, a sacred relic saved during the dramatic 2019 fire
• Admire the Virgin of the Pillar, an 1800s sculpture that has journeyed across the cathedral over time
• Observe the 19th-century rooster from the fallen spire and a crucifix marked by molten lead from the 2019 blaze
• Explore the history of the Grand Organ, a marvel with 8,000 pipes spanning six centuries of musical innovation
• Learn how the 2019-2024 restoration wove modern fire safety innovations, like a discreet suppression system, into its medieval framework
• Examine the delicate carvings of Christ’s life on a 14th-century choir screen, miraculously preserved through centuries of turmoil
• Behold the Crown of Thorns reliquary, a sacred relic saved during the dramatic 2019 fire
• Admire the Virgin of the Pillar, an 1800s sculpture that has journeyed across the cathedral over time
• Observe the 19th-century rooster from the fallen spire and a crucifix marked by molten lead from the 2019 blaze
• Explore the history of the Grand Organ, a marvel with 8,000 pipes spanning six centuries of musical innovation
• Learn how the 2019-2024 restoration wove modern fire safety innovations, like a discreet suppression system, into its medieval framework
This Notre Dame self-guided audio tour invites you to connect deeply with the cathedral's 900-year legacy, tracing its path from a medieval masterpiece to a symbol of resilience after the fire. Through Lindsey’s thoughtful guidance, you’ll feel the cathedral’s enduring presence, as if stepping into a conversation with history itself.
Meet Your Expert
American by birth, Parisienne by luck, Lindsey has been living in Paris for more than a decade. She first arrived in the city for dissertation research, and never left. Lindsey holds an MA in Contemporary Art and a PhD in Medieval Art History. Her specialty is the architecture and sculpture of 13th-century French Gothic cathedrals, though she loves all things art history. With nearly twenty years of teaching experience at all levels—from toddlers to adults in a variety of different contexts—she prides herself on creating engaging and educational guided tours for travelers of all ages. She began guiding walking tours of the city in 2017, and became a nationally-certified French tour guide in 2019. One of her greatest pleasures is introducing visitors to all of the wonderful history that Paris has to offer, from its ancient origins to its most modern buildings.
Does this audio tour go inside the Notre Dame Cathedral?
Yes, this audio tour begins on the outside of the cathedral and then guides you through the interior.
Does this audio guide include a reservation to the Notre Dame Cathedral?
The audio tour does not include a reservation to Notre Dame Cathedral; 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.
How do I access the audio guide and download it for offline use?
Yes, this audio tour begins on the outside of the cathedral and then guides you through the interior.
Does this audio guide include a reservation to the Notre Dame Cathedral?
The audio tour does not include a reservation to Notre Dame Cathedral; 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.
How do I access the audio guide and download it for offline use?
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive a voucher code for your Audio Guide. You must download the Voicemap app and enter the code.
- Install VoiceMap from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Create an account
- Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
- Enter your Voucher Code
- Select Download Now
Is closed captioning (i.e. subtitles) available?
Yes! All of our audio guides have the option to turn on closed captioning should you have difficulty hearing the expert.
How long does each event last?
Our recorded audio guides typically run for 75-90 minutes.
How can I share this audio guide with friends or family?
You are welcome to listen together with friends or family, but each person listening to the guide on their own device will need to purchase the audio guide individually.
How long does my access to the audio guide last?
Once you purchase an audio guide, you are welcome to listen to it as many times as you would like. Your access to a purchased audio guide does not expire.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Sales for recorded audio guides are final upon purchase. Please contact us at info@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.
Can I purchase a gift card for a friend who is traveling?
Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.