Notre Dame de Paris (Cathedral of Notre Dame)
The Notre Dame cathedral is one of the city’s oldest churches. In the twelfth century, Paris was growing and
consolidating its power as France’s capital. The new bishop, Maurice de Sully, decided to build a new cathedral. Construction began in 1163, and it was not
finished until the mid-1300s. Notre Dame
is one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture and its trademark flying
buttresses, which support the outer walls from the outside.
Like many
other religious buildings, Notre Dame was vandalized and damaged during the
French Revolution. Many statues were
destroyed and the original spire was dismantled. In the mid-1800s, architect Eugene
Viollet-le-Duc undertook the restoration of the church, leaving behind the
Notre Dame we see today. Highlights
include the centuries old Great Organ and the beautiful stained glass
windows. Notre Dame was immortalized in
Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame and is one of Paris’
most treasured landmarks. This is a must see attraction, and the price is right.
Location: 6
Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Telephone: +33 01 42 34 56 10
Website: http://www.cathedraledeparis.com/-English-
Metro: Cite (4)
Hours: Every day 08:00-18:45
No admission.
