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Notre Dame Cathedral

Famous for its stained glass rose windows and eerie gargoyles, the Notre Dame Cathedral is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and the most famous ecclesiastical building in Paris. Immortalised by Victor Hugo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, it holds the seat of the Archbishop of Paris and is significant to French Roman Catholics across Europe.

History

Conceived in 1160 by Bishop de Sully, construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1163 under the reign of King Louis VII. The Bishop had grand visions of a lofty cathedral that would impress the whole of Europe with its unique architectural style, and the laying of the building's foundation stone saw both Sully and Pope Alexander III in attendance.

Over the course of the Notre Dame Cathedral's construction, many different architects devoted their efforts to the project, resulting in an intriguing mix of styles. The building of the choir took between 1163 and 1177, while the High Altar was consecrated in 1182.

The Notre Dame Cathedral was further desecrated during the French Revolution, with much of its religious imagery left damaged or destroyed. The cathedral was stripped of its Catholic heritage and rededicated to the Cult of Reason, and later to the Cult of the Supreme Being, while statues of the Virgin Mary were replaced with Lady Liberty.

Restoration work on the Notre Dame Cathedral finally began in 1845 after heavy petitioning by the French public. Overseen by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus and Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, steeples, gables and a spire were added to the cathedral and the friezes redone.

Visitor Attractions

Upon entering the Notre Dame Cathedral, the eye is inevitably drawn to the cathedral's vast organ. Originally built by François-Henri Clicquot, it was rebuilt and expanded by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in the 18th century. Impressively back lit by the cathedral's rose stained glass windows, it features 7,800 pipes and 111 stops.

Visitors can also visit the Tresor, a collection of 19th century liturgical objects, some dating back to the Middle Ages.

Bell Towers

Visitors can climb all 387 steps up to the south tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral for spectacular views of the whole of Paris.

From here you can here the hourly chiming of the cathedral's mighty bell, the 17th century Emmanuelle, and admire a vast gallery of gargoyles built by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.

Entrance to the south tower is located outside of the cathedral, from the Rue du Cloitre-Notre Dame.

Admission and Opening Times

Admission to the Notre Dame Cathedral is free with an extra €8 admission fee (€5 reduces) for those wishing to visit the towers.

The Cathedral is open every day between 8am-6.45pm (until 7.15pm Saturday-Sunday). The towers remain open April-September between 10am-6.30pm (until 11pm Saturday-Sunday in June-August).

Getting There

The Notre Dame Cathedral is situated on the Place du Parvais Notre Dame in the 4th arronidissement of Paris. Visitors can ride the Paris Métro to Cité station.

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Notre Dame Cathedral