The reopening of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral has sparked a tourism surge unlike any in recent memory. Nine months after welcoming visitors again in December 2024, the Gothic masterpiece has set new attendance records, securing its place as France’s most visited monument.
During the peak summer months of July and August, 1.8 million people passed through its gates, highlighting the enduring global fascination with the cathedral.
By early September, attendance figures had already surpassed eight million, a number that continues to rise sharply each week. Projections suggest that Notre-Dame will draw between 12 million and 13 million visitors by December 8, exactly one year after its grand reopening.
These figures put Notre-Dame at the top of France’s cultural landmarks, outpacing other heavyweights such as the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, which welcomed nine million visitors in 2024, the Louvre Museum with 8.7 million, the Château de Versailles with 8.4 million, and the Eiffel Tower at 6.3 million. The renewed cathedral has become not just a religious site but also a symbol of resilience and restoration.
Comparisons with the years before the devastating April 2019 fire are complicated. At the time, Notre-Dame was often described as receiving around 11 million annual visitors, but the accuracy of this figure has been called into question.
According to the cathedral’s rector, Monseigneur Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, that number was “probably exaggerated,” as visitor counting systems in place were inconsistent.
A precise count has only been possible since the installation of security gates under the Portal of the Last Judgment, following the completion of restoration work.
The fire, which destroyed the cathedral’s roof and iconic spire, had left one of the world’s most famous religious structures scarred and inaccessible.
Years of painstaking reconstruction, carried out by teams of artisans, engineers, and architects, restored both its structural integrity and symbolic grandeur. The reopening in December 2024 was met with global fanfare, drawing leaders, clergy, and tourists to celebrate the monument’s revival.
The unprecedented turnout since then reflects not only the cathedral’s historic significance but also the powerful narrative of recovery after tragedy. For Parisians, Notre-Dame represents resilience, while for international visitors, it continues to be an emblem of French culture and architectural heritage.
Tourism experts note that Notre-Dame’s resurgence has boosted the local economy, with surrounding businesses—cafés, souvenir shops, and hotels—reporting significant increases in foot traffic.
The cathedral’s draw is also reshaping Paris’s tourism map, concentrating crowds around the Île de la Cité, where the Gothic structure stands majestically by the Seine.
As Paris looks ahead to the winter season, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. The cathedral, once scarred by fire, now stands as a symbol of renewal, attracting millions and reaffirming its place at the heart of France’s cultural identity.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
