Strasbourg Cathedral
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg48°35′ N 7°45′ E
Strasbourg Cathedral is the Gothic centrepiece of the city's Christmas, and it suits visitors who want a free look inside between market squares or a place at Mass. During the market it opens continuously from 08:30 to 17:45, Monday to Saturday, and the astronomical clock show is suspended for the whole market.
Photo beggs · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 and others, credited in the gallery
The cathedral says 2.5 million people visited in 2019, more than any other cathedral in France. Entry is free and needs no booking, there is a security check at the door, and a ramp serves wheelchair users at the entrance and the exit. The dress rules are strict for a working church, so cover your shoulders.
Christmas services are free and open to all. In 2025 the cathedral closed to visitors on the afternoon of 24 December, held a family Mass at 17:00 and a vigil of music and organ at 23:30, then Midnight Mass with the Chœur de Notre-Dame. A Mass is worship first, so come to take part and keep phones away.
Worth knowing
- Plan the astronomical clock for a visit outside the market season; the show at 12:30 doesn't run while the market is on.
- Climb to the viewing platform, 332 steps up and 66 metres high, for the view over the market roofs.
Quick answers about Strasbourg Cathedral
Is Strasbourg Cathedral open during the Christmas market?
Yes. During the Christmas market Strasbourg Cathedral opens continuously from 08:30 to 17:45, Monday to Saturday, and from 14:00 to 17:15 on Sundays and holidays. Entry is free, through the south portal on the Place du Château side.
Can you see the Strasbourg astronomical clock during the Christmas market?
No. The cathedral suspends the astronomical clock show for the whole Christmas market. The rest of the year it runs daily, and adult tickets cost €4 on the day.
Do you need tickets for Christmas Mass at Strasbourg Cathedral?
No. The cathedral says its Christmas Masses are free and need no reservation.