Notre-Dame de Paris is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris, located on the Île de la Cité. It is widely regarded as one of the finest monuments of Gothic French architecture. Its sculptures and stained glass contrast with the Romanesque style. The western facade, with two large rose windows of 13 meters diameter, dominates the square Place Jean-Paul II.
According to historians, the current location of Notre Dame was occupied by a pagan Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, then an early Christian basilica and Romanesque cathedral. In 1160, Bishop Maurice Sully decided to build a shrine in the tradition of Gothic art, and the first stone was laid in 1163. The building was extended until 1345. The cathedral was the place of many events of the first order, such as the rehabilitation trial of Joan of Arc or Napoleon's coronation in 1804. After the Revolution, a major restoration was undertaken from 1844 to 1864, led by the architect Viollet-Le-Duc.
Notre Dame de Paris cathedral is the most visited monument in Paris. You can access and go up the two towers, where you get a magnificent view of the entire French capital. You will cross statues and evil beasts. Built to recreate the disturbing atmosphere of the Middle Ages, the chimeras are completely decorative and gargoyles, arranged at the end of the gutters, only serve to drain the water. On rainy days, we recommend you to admire the spectacle of these stone monsters transformed into fountains.
You can have access to the crypt and the towers with the Paris Museum Pass.
Completed: 1345
Height: 90m
