Paris’ Gothic Jewels: An Audio Tour

Paris, France
  1. Home
  2. Activities
  3. Paris
Duration2h - 2h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapell, and the Conciergerie have each shaped French history in their own way. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll step into medieval Paris and discover these three Gothic masterpieces’ unique insights into medieval art, religion, and justice. The tour starts at the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral, where centuries of soot and grime have been meticulously removed to reveal the vibrant colours and intricate details that medieval builders intended. From Notre Dame, you’ll stroll across the Île de la Cité to the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle. This royal chapel was commissioned by King Louis IX to house Christianity’s most precious relic: the Crown of Thorns, believed to be the actual crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head during his crucifixion. The tour ends at the medieval Conciergerie, a former palace that became a prison for insurgents during the French Revolution.

What's included

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • App for Android and iOS
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and drink
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour

What to expect

  1. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
    Pass by
    Marvel at the newly restored facade of this iconic 12th-century cathedral, where centuries of grime have been stripped away to reveal the vivid colours and intricate carvings that medieval stonemasons and glassmakers originally intended. Step inside to explore soaring Gothic arches, luminous rose windows, and exquisitely preserved sculptures from the 1300s depicting key moments from Christ's life in their original brilliant hues.
  2. Sainte-Chapelle
    Pass by
    Admire one of the most breathtaking interiors in all of Paris, where 15 towering stained-glass windows fill 670 square metres with over 1,100 glowing biblical scenes crafted in the 13th century. Discover how King Louis IX commissioned this royal chapel to house the Crown of Thorns, and uncover the remarkable story of his mother, Blanche of Castile, whose courage saved the French monarchy — her tale immortalised in the very windows around you.
  3. Conciergerie
    Pass by
    Explore this formidable medieval palace turned revolutionary prison, where soaring Gothic arches and vast medieval kitchens hint at its origins as a seat of royal power. Walk the same stone corridors where Marie Antoinette spent her final 76 days before her execution, and hear the gripping stories of the insurgents whose fates were sealed within these walls during the French Revolution.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

This tour starts at Pierre the Stone Cutter (Parvis de Notre Dame). Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

This tour ends at Marie-Antoinette.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$14.99 per person
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours · Booked through Viator
More activities in Paris
From
$14.99 per person
Check availability