The Solo Scale:

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Visiting Notre Dame is a rite of passage when you’re in Paris. Given that the church has only recently reopened after the fires, people are flocking to visit as they weren’t able to for many years. Take your time inside the church, but once you’re done, don’t neglect one of the best things about Notre Dame. That’s the towers and the gargoyles waiting for you at the top.

If the towers have reopened, you’ll want to do some basic preparations before you ascend. It’s around 387 steps, which is about 38 flights of stairs. Plus, the stairs are narrow in places and have started to wear. As you climb, be careful of where you step. If you’re ready for that, then it’s time to get fantastic views of Paris and meet the gargoyles.

There’s a few caveats to keep in mind. First is that this is a limited entrance attraction. They’ll only allow a set number of people inside, which means if someone is a particularly slow climber (either up or down), then it’s going to add to the time you’re standing in line. That line can come to a complete halt, so don’t expect that you’re going to show up and breeze through this. That is, unless you show up as soon as it opens or you’re there during the off-season.

With the wait & physical exertion in mind, the question is:

Are the towers worth it?

In my opinion, that’s a hearty YES. Not only do you get to see the gargoyles and a view of Notre Dame that the majority of tourists are content with, but it happens to deliver fantastic views of Paris. True, it’s not the same height as the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, or Montparnasse, but its placement on Île de la Cité means that you get some incredibly central views of the Seine and many famous landmarks.

Now, more than ever, with the towers reopening after such a long time dark, it’s going to become a popular destination. If this is on your bucket list, check out the website to get your tickets well in advance!

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