Paris’ Gothic Jewels: An Audio Tour

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.