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The NH Concierge’s Tips
When we think about European culture, our minds flashback to the architecture, big monuments, and hundreds of centuries of history. The same holds true for Paris, but we must remember the unique city's essence. This city encapsulates artistic achievements, and historical milestones that reveal deep connections between faith and art. For those tourists who want to admire and visit religious temples, save this practical guide to your favorites, and discover the most famous churches in Paris.
There are a lot of iconic places near the best hotels in Paris, but one of the most known is the Notre Dame Cathedral, whose construction dates back to 1163. It’s a Gothic cathedral with an impressive style that features flying buttresses and gargoyles to carry the weight of its massive roof.
In 2019, it suffered a colossal fire that left a large part of the tourist routes inside inoperative, but it reopened on the 8th of December 2024. If you want to discover all the secrets of this church, prepare your visit soon, visiting the towers and appreciate these mythical gargoyles up close.
Furthermore, the cathedral is located in the heart of the city, on the Île de la Cité, surrounded by the Seine River. Where you can explore the famous medieval streets, and discover Plaza Juan XXIII, whose garden is perfect to appreciate the charm of this island. This church is located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, specifically at 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. John Paul II. The fastest way to get there is using line 4 to the subway station of Cité, or another option is Saint-Michel subway station (lines 4 and 10), which is about a 10-minute walk away.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is one of the most emblematic places in Paris, located at the top of the Montmartre hill, and surrounded by the most impressive panoramic views of the city. Located at 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. There you will find special art pieces such as a giant mosaic of Christ in the dome, known as "Christ in Glory" made by Luc-Olivier Merson. The statue of the resurrected Christ on the altar, the work of Denys Puech, who also made other sculptures in the basilica. In addition, the bell tower houses "La Savoyarde", one of the largest bells in Europe, weighing more than 18 tons.
This place is a mandatory visit for lovers of good art, and those who admire the immensity of these famous churches in Paris. Furthermore, in the Montmartre neighborhood, you will find a very bohemian place that deserves to be explored. There you can check out the artwork of local artists, like in the Place du Tertre, or visit the Montmartre Museum to enjoy works by Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.
To get to this area and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, you can take metro line 12 to the bottom of the hill at Abbesses station. Also, to go up the hill you can do it by stairs, or by taking a 10 minute steep walk. But, if you’ve reduced mobility, you can take the Montmartre funicular. So this is a very recommended tourist route for big families due to the accessibility of the place.
Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most famous Cathedral in Paris of Gothic architecture, and it has many details that will make you spend hours admiring them. We must remember that its construction dates back to the 13th century and was designed to house the relics of the Passion of Christ, so each wall tells a story. You will see a series of glass mosaics telling you the story of the Old and New Testaments. Also, visitors are often impressed by the light effects that the glass creates when it is illuminated just before sunset.
Taking photographs is generally not allowed on site, but they are usually flexible with permissions to capture the architecture, so we recommend asking before doing so. To get to this church, located in the heart of Paris near the Notre-Dame Cathedral, you have to go to 8 Boulevard du Palais using line 4 of the subway to the station Cité.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of the oldest churches in Paris, making it the ideal place to perceive the religious influence that comes from the 6th century. In this aspect we can highlight the contributions of the church to art and literature, these are deep. Because this church has inspired writers like Hemingway and Sartre, with its Romanesque architecture and its quiet atmosphere as a space for reflection.
Located in the 6th arrondissement, inside this religious building in Paris you can admire the baroque altar, the medieval statues and the frescoes that decorate its walls. In its surroundings, you can enjoy two of the most famous cafes in Paris: Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, located in the Place de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Who witnessed the meetings of famous artists and thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Ernest Hemingway, André Breton and Pablo Picasso.
You can reach this area using the nearest metro station, Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4), which is located in the center of the neighborhood. But you can also walk there if you're in the Latin Quarter or near Notre-Dame Cathedral in about 15-20 minutes or use the bus lines 63, 70, 86, and 87.
Saint-Sulpice is a very beautiful church known for its baroque style and impressive architecture, built between 1646 and 1745. It’s a mandatory destination if you visit the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, because the facade of the building will serve as a backdrop for the best photos of your trip. Also, there you can see its extraordinary organ, played by renowned composers such as Camille Saint-Saëns. Moreover, you will know one of the most impressive inventions of its time: the gnomon, a solar device that was used to determine the date of Easter.
There you can also enjoy the paintings of Eugène Delacroix in the side chapels. They narrate scenes from the history of San Miguel and the destruction of pagan idols, which will blow your mind due to the quality of their paint strokes. Also, this is one of the most popular stops in Paris, thanks to the book "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, where several elements of the church are referenced, including the meridian line.
This important religious building is located in 2 Rue Palatine, in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The closest metro station is Saint-Sulpice (Line 4), which is right in front of the church. Or you can get there using bus lines 63, 70, and 86 because they have stops nearby.
This church is one of the most important neoclassical expressions in Paris, located in one of the best-known squares: Place de la Madeleine. Whose creation was originally conceived as a temple dedicated to the glory of Napoleon, but over time it became a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church in Paris. Because it looks like a Roman temple, rather than a traditional church that embodies the grandeur of 19th century Paris.
The church is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, near the Place de la Concorde and the Boulevard de la Madeleine. To visit it you can go to the Madeleine metro station (Lines 8, 12, 14). You can also get to the Concorde station (Lines 1, 8, 12), which is about a 5-minute walk away.
The Church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois is a church near the Louvre, famous for housing one of the most important relics of the Catholic religion "The Crown of Thorns". It's not the most famous church, but it has a rich history thanks to its relationship with French royalty. Also, it's surrounded by a wide variety of monuments and tourist attractions, so you can start to explore Paris easily from its 1fs arrondissement.
Its construction began in the 13th century, under the reign of Louis IX (Saint Louis), and was completed in the 16th century. It has Gothic architecture, but it mixes Renaissance and Baroque elements due to the modifications made over the centuries. To get there, you can use metro lines 1 and 7 to the Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station. Or through bus lines 21, 27, 39, 68, 69, and 72.
The famous churches in Paris have numerous architectural elements that reflect the passage of time in European culture. The most obvious being the gargoyles, which often serve as water jets, or structural supports. They are fantastic creatures that symbolize the spiritual protection of buildings.
Another unusual architectural feature are the domes, like those of the Sacré-Cœur and Saint-Sulpice, create a visual connection between the aspirations of the construction and the sky. Additionally, stained-glass windows, like those at Sainte-Chapelle, transform sunlight into colors that tell stories of faith. So if you like medieval European architecture and design, you can visit the churches of Paris because you will undoubtedly be inspired on this trip.
Each church witnessed events and characters that have influenced the world. For example, Notre-Dame saw the birth of the French Republic, it was the place of the funerals of national heroes. Sainte-Chapelle housed some of the most important relics of Christianity, while Saint-Germain-des-Prés was the inspiration for the existentialist movement.
That is the importance of places like the Saint-Sulpice church which has been linked to famous artists and composers, while La Madeleine is a testament to Napoleon's legacy in this city. So, they offer unique perspectives of each historical period and its people.
Regarding visiting hours for popular churches in Paris, most ones are open daily, from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM. But this varies depending on the church, holidays, and season. So, we recommend you consulting the websites of each church to confirm this information.
For those travelers with reduced mobility, or who travel with family members in wheelchairs and other types of assistance, most churches have accessibility, such as ramps and other special adaptations.
● Best time to visit: The best time to visit the churches of Paris are in the early morning and late afternoon. This will help you avoid the crowds, especially at popular places like Sacré-Cur and Notre-Dame.
● Dress code: There is no specific dress code, like in other religious temples, but it is recommended to avoid beach clothing, with low necklines and very informal clothing.
● Nearby attractions: A hack to improve your travel experience is to plan your route of churches to visit. This way you can combine your visits with nearby attractions. For example, you can start your day in Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, and in 5 minutes you can visit the Louvre Museum, or visit the Jardin des Tuileries, and then connect your walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Visiting the famous churches in Paris is one of the most exciting cultural plans in the city. And you will wonder why is it fun to visit churches? Well, in Paris there are some of the most famous churches in the world. And they are not only architectural wonders, a testimony of different historical events and the evolution of construction techniques in Europe. By planning a visit to some of these churches on your trip, it will offer you a unique perspective of the spiritual and artistic journey that the city of Paris has been on since medieval times.
There are more than 250 churches in Paris, including the most famous and special ones in Europe due to their construction, relics, history, etc.
Yes, many of the most famous churches in Paris offer free admission, but there are others that do not. We recommend check it directly on the official website and purchase your tickets in advance.
The good thing about famous churches in Paris is that they are open every day of the year. So if you want to visit them, consider going in spring and autumn, because the weather is pleasant, and there are usually fewer tourists compared to summer.
Yes, you can attend a service at the famous churches in Paris. Remember to confirm the schedules on their official websites.
Yes, there are some areas of Notre-Dame that can be visited, even though its main spaces are under restoration after the 2019 fire. But the reopening is planned for mid-December 2024.
NH Paris Champs-Elysées is located in the 8th arrondissement, a chic neighborhood where many of Paris’s shopping destinations and must-see cultural landmarks are located. Thanks to the hotel’s excellent location, you’ll find that the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Place de la Concorde as well as the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic, are all either within walking distance or within direct metro access.
NH Paris Gare de l’Est is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on the right bank of the River Seine. It’s opposite Gare de l’Est train station and is only an eight-minute walk away from Gare du Nord. The hotel sits in a cosmopolitan and multicultural neighborhood, which is also home to two magnificent markets and is known for Canal Saint-Martin, which offers a great number of informal restaurants, hip bars and attractive shops.
NH Paris Opéra Faubourg is locate on Rue La Fayette in the 9th arrondissement (Opéra) of Paris, between Montmartre and the antiquarian district of Drouot. As a result, it’s within walking distance of some of the main tourist attractions in the city. For example, both Opéra Garnier and Galeries Lafayette are only a 15-minute walk from the property. Meanwhile, Boulevard Haussmann, which is home to many high street fashion brands, is just 10 minutes away. Other points of interest, such as the Louvre, Place Vendôme and Sacré-Cœur are within 30 minutes on foot.
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