A Day at Notre-Dame Cathedral
Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral was a highlight of the day. Entry is free, and the line to get in took less than 30 minutes, mostly for bag checks.
We used ChatGPT to plan our train route, and by carefully following the directions and metro signage, we successfully reached our destination. As it was our first time using the train, we felt a bit of anxiety at first, but having a clear, step-by-step guide made all the difference.
How AI Guided Our Steps
Question:
I’m at the metro for the first time, I need a ticket from Ségur to near Notre-Dame. Do I need one ticket for going and returning?
ChatGPT replied:
Perfect — you’re at Ségur (Line 10). To get near Notre-Dame, the simplest route is:
1. Take Line 10 toward Gare d’Austerlitz
2. Change at Cluny – La Sorbonne
3. Walk a few minutes to Notre-Dame 🚶♀️🎫 Tickets
Within Paris, use a T+ ticket (the standard metro ticket).
Price: €2.15 (paper) or €2.10 (with a Navigo Easy card)
One ticket covers your full metro journey, including transfers.
You’ll need another ticket for the return.
For a round-trip (Ségur ↔ Notre-Dame), buy 2 tickets, or better yet, a carnet of 10 if you plan more metro rides—it’s cheaper.
👉 Do you want me to also give step-by-step signs to follow inside the stations (since it’s your first time)?
We replied:
We are on the side that says Gare d’Austerlitz.
ChatGPT confirmed:
Perfect — you’re in exactly the right place! ✅
At Ségur Station:
Since you’re already on the platform marked “Direction Gare d’Austerlitz”, just wait for the next train—all trains on that side go the right way.Stay on Line 10 until Cluny – La Sorbonne (about 9 stops, ~15 minutes).
At Cluny – La Sorbonne:
Exit and walk about 5 minutes to Notre-Dame Cathedral.Follow the signs for Sortie (Exit), then look for Boulevard Saint-Germain / Place Saint-Michel.
Cross the river at Pont Saint-Michel or Petit Pont—and Notre-Dame will be right ahead.
Inside the Cathedral
The Cathedral itself is awe-inspiring. Its beauty, artistry, and sheer scale are almost impossible to capture in words. The space exudes a sense of timeless craftsmanship and reverence.
Although we’re not Catholic, there was a palpable spirit of peace throughout. Visitors spoke in hushed tones, and the atmosphere invited quiet reflection. At 6 p.m., mass began, and the singing was absolutely beautiful. The voice filled the space through an impressive audio setup, with microphones placed throughout the cathedral to enhance acoustics. The result was breathtaking.
If you visit, I highly recommend attending part of a mass just to experience it.
A Cozy Ending to the Day
After our visit, my friend needed to charge her phone, so we stopped at the Shakespeare and Company Café nearby. We sipped Purple Sweet Potato Vanilla Lattes, a surprisingly delicious find and then browsed the bookstore next door.
The shop was delightfully eclectic, with books in English and other languages—everything from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Grimm’s Fairy Tales and even contemporary authors like Marian Keyes.
It was the perfect end to the day. On our way back, metro service was suspended due to an accident, so we caught an Uber home, content and tired, with hearts still full from the experience.
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