17 Greatest Churches in France for Indian Travelers

France stands among the world’s greatest destinations for Christian architecture. The country holds over 45,000 churches. For Indian tourists, churches in France offer a fascinating glimpse into European history, art, and faith traditions.

From tiny village chapels to enormous Gothic cathedrals, many took centuries to build as generations of craftsmen dedicated their lives to creating these remarkable structures. This guide covers 17 of the most spectacular churches in France, with all the practical information you need to plan your visit.

17 Best Churches in France to Visit

1. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

The iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral stands at the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité. Though damaged by fire in 2019, restoration work continues, with the cathedral reopening to the public on December 7, 2024.

This Gothic masterpiece has defined the Parisian skyline since the 12th century and remains one of the most recognizable churches in France.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Île de la Cité, Paris

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport (30-minute drive)

• Timings: Monday to Friday – 7:50 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday & Sunday – 8:15 AM to 7:30 PM (Some areas are closed for renovations)

• Mass Timing: Suspended during restoration; Masses and services are regularly broadcast live by KTO TV

• Contact Number: +33 1 42 34 56 10

• Website:www.notredamedeparis.fr

• Email: Contact through the official website

• Highlights: Gothic architecture, rose windows, flying buttresses, gargoyles

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning for crowd-free exterior photos

• Accessibility: Central Paris location, easily reached by Metro (Line 4: Cité)

• Visitor Tips: While interior access remains restricted, guided exterior tours provide context about the ongoing restoration project

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2. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

Perched atop Montmartre hill, the white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica offers some of the best views across Paris.

Built between 1875 and 1914, it’s relatively new compared to many historic churches in France, yet it has become one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Montmartre, Paris

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 26 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 6:30 AM–10:30 PM daily

• Mass Timing: Daily at 11 AM, 6 PM (Sunday: 7 AM, 11 AM, 6 PM)

• Contact Number: +33 1 53 41 89 00

• Website:www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

• Email:[email protected]

• Highlights: Byzantine-style architecture, panoramic Paris views, gold mosaic of Christ

• Best Time to Visit: Sunset for golden hour lighting and city views

• Accessibility: Funicular railway available; also accessible via stairs (237 steps)

• Visitor Tips: Photography prohibited inside; dress modestly; the basilica practices perpetual adoration, meaning prayer continues 24/7

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3. Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle represents the height of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. This jewel-box chapel near Notre-Dame features 15 enormous stained-glass windows that transform sunlight into kaleidoscopic color displays.

It’s among the most breathtaking Catholic churches in France despite its relatively small size.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Île de la Cité, Paris

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 9 AM–7 PM (April–September), 9 AM–5 PM (October–March)

• Mass Timing: Rare; primarily functions as a museum

• Contact Number: +33 1 53 40 60 80

• Website:www.sainte-chapelle.fr

• Email: NA

• Highlights: 15-meter stained-glass windows depicting 1,113 biblical scenes

• Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning for optimal sunlight through the glass

• Accessibility: Limited for wheelchair users due to a historic structure

• Visitor Tips: Buy tickets online to avoid queues; combine with a Conciergerie visit (joint ticket available)

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4. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Nantes

This Breton Gothic masterpiece took over 450 years to complete (1434-1891). The cathedral has survived fires, wars, and a bombing during World War II, yet remains one of the most impressive worship places for Christians in France outside Paris.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Nantes (Loire-Atlantique)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 8 km from Nantes Atlantique Airport

• Timings: 8:30 AM–7 PM

• Mass Timing: Daily at 9 AM, Sunday at 11 AM

• Contact Number: +33 2 40 47 84 64

• Website:https://cathedrale-nantes.fr/

• Email:[email protected]

• Highlights: Renaissance tomb of Francis II, twin Gothic towers, white stone interior

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn for fewer crowds

• Accessibility: Central Nantes location with good public transport links

• Visitor Tips: Climb the 63-meter tower for city views; visit the crypt to see the foundations of earlier churches

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5. Basilique Saint-Denis

Source: wikimedia

This basilica revolutionized European architecture as the first major Gothic building. More significantly, it served as the burial place for French royalty for over 800 years.

The church houses the tombs of 43 kings, 32 queens, and 10 royal servants, making it a crucial historical site among famous churches in France.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 15 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 10 AM–6:15 PM (Monday–Saturday), 12 PM–6:15 PM (Sunday)

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 10 AM and 6 PM

• Contact Number: +33 1 48 09 83 54

• Website:www.saint-denis-basilique.fr

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Royal necropolis, pioneering Gothic architecture, stunning rose windows

• Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds

• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; RER Line B from central Paris

• Visitor Tips: Allow at least two hours to explore the church and royal tombs; audio guides available in multiple languages, including English

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6. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

For over 1,000 years, Reims Cathedral served as the coronation site for French kings. This UNESCO World Heritage site exemplifies High Gothic architecture and contains some of the finest medieval stained glass in any of the Christian churches in France.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Reims (Grand Est)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 10 km from Reims-Champagne Airport

• Timings: 7:30 AM–7:30 PM

• Mass Timing: Daily at 8:30 AM, Sunday at 10 AM

• Contact Number: +33 3 26 47 55 34

• Website:https://www.cathedrale-reims.com/

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Coronation site of French kings, 2,303 statues, Chagall stained glass windows

• Best Time to Visit: June for the summer light shows projected onto the cathedral façade

• Accessibility: Central location with good public transport links

• Visitor Tips: Visit the nearby Palais du Tau to see coronation artifacts; Reims is in Champagne country, making it perfect for combining church visits with wine tours

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7. Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur de Narbonne

This cathedral stands out among must-visit churches in France for its unique unfinished state. Construction began in 1272 but was never completed, resulting in only the choir being built to its intended height (40 meters).

The incomplete nave offers visitors a rare glimpse into medieval construction techniques.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Narbonne (Occitanie)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 60 km from Béziers Cap d’Agde Airport

• Timings: 9 AM–7 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 10:30 AM (in adjacent church)

• Contact Number: +33 4 68 32 09 52

• Website:https://www.narbonne.fr/

• Email:[email protected]

• Highlights: Unfinished nave, 40-meter choir height, 14th-century tapestries

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning for the best light

• Accessibility: Central location in Narbonne

• Visitor Tips: Visit the adjoining Archbishop’s Palace and archaeological museum; Narbonne was an important Roman city with many ancient ruins to explore

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8. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg

From 1647 to 1874, this cathedral was the world’s tallest building (142 meters). Its distinctive single spire dominates the Strasbourg skyline and represents a perfect blend of French and Germanic Gothic styles. The cathedral’s astronomical clock draws crowds daily for its midday show.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Strasbourg (Grand Est)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 10 km from Strasbourg Entzheim Airport

• Timings: 7 AM–7 PM

• Mass Timing: Daily at 8:30 AM, Sunday at 10 AM

• Contact Number: +33 3 88 21 43 34

• Website:https://www.cathedrale-strasbourg.fr/

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Astronomical clock, massive rose window, platform views over Alsace

• Best Time to Visit: December for Christmas markets surrounding the cathedral

• Accessibility: Central location with tram access

• Visitor Tips: Arrive before noon to see the astronomical clock’s moving figures in action; climb the 330 steps to the viewing platform for panoramic views

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9. Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

This basilica combines Byzantine and Romanesque styles with lavish mosaics and gold decoration.

Built between 1872 and 1896 as a thank you to the Virgin Mary for protecting Lyon during the Franco-Prussian War, it occupies a commanding position overlooking the city.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

• Timings: 7 AM–7 PM

• Mass Timing: Daily at 7:30 AM, Sunday at 10 AM

• Contact Number: +33 4 78 25 13 01

• Website:https://www.fourviere.org/fr/

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Golden Madonna statue, richly decorated mosaics, crypt church below

• Best Time to Visit: December 8th for the Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières)

• Accessibility: Funicular available from Vieux Lyon; some steps required

• Visitor Tips: Visit the adjacent museum about the basilica’s construction; enjoy the panoramic views over Lyon from the esplanade

10. Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges

This UNESCO World Heritage site stands as one of the purest examples of High Gothic architecture. Unlike many famous churches in France, Bourges Cathedral lacks a transept, creating an uninterrupted view from the entrance to the altar.

Its five sculptured doorways tell biblical stories through intricate carvings.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Bourges (Centre-Val de Loire)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 150 km from Tours Val de Loire Airport

• Timings: 8:30 AM–7:30 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 11 AM

• Contact Number: +33 2 48 65 49 44

• Website:www.bourges-cathedrale.fr

• Email: NA

• Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage site, 5-portal façade, 13th-century stained glass

• Best Time to Visit: April to October, when tower access is available

• Accessibility: Central location in Bourges

• Visitor Tips: Audio guides available in multiple languages; the crypt contains a remarkable 12th-century sculpture of a sleeping Christ

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11. Église Saint-Sulpice

Source: wikimedia

Saint-Sulpice is Paris’s second-largest church after Notre-Dame. It gained international fame through Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” though the actual church differs significantly from its fictional portrayal.

Its grand classical façade contrasts with many Gothic churches in France, with mass timings.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Paris (6th arrondissement)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 7:30 AM–7:30 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 9 AM, 11 AM, 6:30 PM

• Contact Number: +33 1 42 34 59 98

• Website: https://www.paroissesaintsulpice.paris/contact/

• Email: [email protected]

• Highlights: Delacroix murals, astronomical gnomon, massive pipe organ

• Best Time to Visit: Midday for sundial illumination; Sunday at 10:30 AM for organ recitals

• Accessibility: Metro access (Line 4: Saint-Sulpice)

• Visitor Tips: Check the calendar for free organ concerts; look for the gnomon (meridian line) used as an astronomical measuring device

12. Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d’Albi

Albi Cathedral stands apart from other Catholic churches in France with its fortress-like exterior built entirely of brick. Inside, visitors discover a breathtaking contrast: the interior walls and ceiling are covered with intricate Renaissance frescoes.

The cathedral houses the largest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings in France.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Albi (Occitanie)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 85 km from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

• Timings: 9 AM–6:30 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 10:30 AM

• Contact Number: +33 5 63 43 23 43

• Website:www.albi-tourisme.fr

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Largest brick building worldwide, Last Judgment fresco, ornate rood screen

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn for pleasant temperatures

• Accessibility: Elevator to choir level available

• Visitor Tips: Combine with a visit to the adjacent Toulouse-Lautrec Museum; the guided tour provides access to the choir and treasury

13. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres

Chartres Cathedral represents the high point of French Gothic art. Nearly all of its 176 stained-glass windows date from the 13th century, an unprecedented survival rate among historic churches in France.

The cathedral’s famous labyrinth remains embedded in the floor, used by pilgrims as a symbolic journey to Jerusalem.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Chartres (Centre-Val de Loire)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 90 km from Paris Orly Airport

• Timings: 8:30 AM–7:30 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 11 AM

• Contact Number: +33 2 37 21 22 07

• Website:www.cathedrale-chartres.org

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Blue Virgin window, medieval labyrinth, sculptured portals

• Best Time to Visit: Tuesday and Friday when the labyrinth is fully visible (chairs removed)

• Accessibility: One hour by train from Paris; wheelchair access available

• Visitor Tips: Attend the “Chartres en Lumières” evening light show (April-October); Malcolm Miller’s English-language tours are legendary for their depth

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14. Église Saint-Eustache

Saint-Eustache combines Gothic structure with Renaissance decoration, creating one of the most harmonious churches to visit in France.

Located near Les Halles in central Paris, it’s known for its massive pipe organ (8,000 pipes) and exceptional acoustics that make it a premium classical music venue.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Paris (1st arrondissement)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 9:30 AM–7 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 6 PM

• Contact Number: +33 1 42 36 31 05

• Website:www.saint-eustache.org

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Rubens’ “The Disciples of Emmaus,” 8,000-pipe organ, exceptional acoustics

• Best Time to Visit: Sundays at 5:30 PM for free organ recitals

• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; Metro Les Halles station nearby

• Visitor Tips: Check the concert schedule; the church hosts many classical performances throughout the year

15. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

Source: wikimedia

This cathedral inspired Monet’s famous series of paintings capturing its façade in different lights. With its three distinctive towers from different periods, it presents an architectural encyclopedia of Gothic styles.

Its 151-meter spire made it briefly the world’s tallest building in the 19th century.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Rouen (Normandy)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 10 km from Rouen Airport

• Timings: 8 AM–6 PM

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 10 AM, 6 PM

• Contact Number: +33 2 35 71 85 65

• Website:www.cathedrale-rouen.net

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Monet’s painting subject, the butter tower, the tomb of Richard the Lionheart

• Best Time to Visit: Summer for the “Cathédrale de Lumière” light show projected on the façade

• Accessibility: Central Rouen location with good public transport

• Visitor Tips: Explore the archaeological crypt museum; visit the spot where Joan of Arc was executed nearby

16. Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This church holds the distinction of being the oldest in Paris, with portions dating to the 6th century. Originally part of a powerful abbey, it survived the French Revolution when many other worship places for Christians in France were destroyed or repurposed.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Paris (6th arrondissement, Latin Quarter)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 8 AM–7:45 PM daily

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 11 AM, 7 PM; Weekdays at 7 PM

• Contact Number: +33 1 43 25 41 71

• Website:https://eglise-saintgermaindespres.fr/

• Email: NA

• Highlights: Oldest church in Paris, Romanesque architecture with Gothic additions, blue-painted ceiling

• Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for quiet contemplation

• Accessibility: Metro Saint-Germain-des-Prés station adjacent

• Visitor Tips: Look for Merovingian-era relics in the crypt; the nearby cafés (Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore) were gathering places for famous writers and philosophers

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17. Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

This church houses the shrine of St. Geneviève, Paris’s patron saint, and features the city’s only surviving rood screen. Its unique blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles makes it one of the most architecturally interesting Christian churches in France.

• Type: Catholic

• Location: Paris (5th arrondissement, near Panthéon)

• Distance from Nearest Airport: 25 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Timings: 8:30 AM–7:30 PM daily

• Mass Timing: Sunday at 10:30 AM, 6:30 PM; Weekdays at 8:30 AM, 6:30 PM

• Contact Number: +33 1 43 54 11 79

• Website:www.saintetiennedumont.fr

• Email:[email protected]

• Highlights: 16th-century rood screen (unique in Paris), shrine of St. Geneviève, Pascal’s tomb

• Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for stained glass illumination

• Accessibility: Near the Panthéon, accessible by bus and metro

• Visitor Tips: Visit during the annual feast of St. Geneviève (January 3) for special celebrations

FAQs

How many churches are in France?

France has over 45,000 churches in France, including cathedrals, basilicas, and parish churches. About 15,000 are protected as historical monuments, reflecting the country’s rich Christian heritage.

Can Christians pray in public in France?

Yes, Christians can freely pray and worship in public spaces in France. The country upholds freedom of religion while maintaining a secular state (laïcité). Public prayer is legal, though discreet practice is customary.

Can Christians get married in France?

Yes, Christian couples can marry in Catholic churches in France, but must first complete a civil ceremony at a town hall (mairie). Foreign visitors need to establish residency or obtain special permission for church weddings.

What are the 4 largest churches in France?

The four largest historic churches in France by interior volume are Amiens Cathedral, Reims Cathedral, Bourges Cathedral, and Chartres Cathedral. Notre-Dame de Paris would rank fifth when restoration is complete.

Are there any Catholics in France?

Yes, Catholicism remains France’s predominant religion, with approximately 27-48% of the population identifying as Catholic. Catholic churches in France continue to be active places of worship, though regular attendance has declined in recent decades.

Can tourists attend church services in France?

Tourists are welcome to attend Mass and other services in churches in France with mass timings. Visitors should dress respectfully, remain quiet during services, and follow local customs regarding communion.

Do I need permission to visit a church in France?

No special permission is required to visit the most famous churches in France during regular opening hours. Some areas may be restricted during services, and private chapels might require advance arrangements.

Is there parking available at churches in France?

Parking varies widely. Rural churches often have free nearby parking, while must-visit churches in France in city centers typically have limited parking options. Public transportation is recommended for visiting urban churches.