Notre-Dame was built on an island in the Seine, called Île de la Cité . In the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France. The Cathedral of Our Lady is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Built in medieval France, construction of the cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, although it was modified in the following centuries. In the 19th century, the coronation of Napoleon I and the funerals of many presidents of the French Republic took place in the cathedral.
The cathedral has 29 chapels, numerous stained glass windows and a decorative organ, the largest in France with 8,000 pipes. Moreover, there is one of the most famous bells in Europe – Emmanuel, which, according to legend, has a heart melted from silver and gold donated by Parisian women.
Facts about the cathedral:
1.The Strasbourg Cathedral was built over a period of 424 years.
2. The cathedral was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years.
3. There’s a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral.
4. The cathedral’s stained-glass windows date back to the Middle Ages.
5. The cathedral houses one of the biggest astronomical clocks in the world.
The cathedral was made famous by the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame: The action takes place in Paris in the late Middle Ages. It tells primarily about the love of Archdeacon Claudius Frollo for the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda. Quasimodo, adopted by Claudius and serving as the bell ringer of the famous cathedral, is a witness to the complicated relationships.
Current information about The Notre-Dame Cathedral: The cathedral was closed after a fire that broke out on April 15, 2019. Since then, tourists could only see it from the outside, but after renovation it will be more beautiful than ever. Currently, you cannot enter the cathedral. On Monday, March 6, 2023, French authorities announced that the cathedral will most likely reopen on December 8, 2024.
But the district has more than just a cathedral: Look up and stroll to discover the area, walk the many bridges connecting Îlede la Cité and Île Saint-Louis with the left and right banks of the capital, walk past the beautiful churches in the area and be sure to visit Sainte-Chapelle to admire its 1,113 wonderful stained glass windows . Relax in one of the charming squares on the banks of the Seine, then enjoy a meal in one of the many cafés and restaurants in the area. The two islands opposite each other have a lot to offer to tourists.
Au Vieux Paris – A romantic and cozy restaurant located near Notre Dame, where it is best to try French cuisine specialties, such as onion soup, scallops and mussels. This place, apart from its charming decor, is a guarantee of a moment of silence and rest from the bustle of the city. Prices there are moderate.
Unfortunately, tourists who want to visit the new interiors of the famous cathedral have to wait a while longer: They will only be able to enter it at the end of next year. As Philippe Jost, deputy head of the unit responsible for the reconstruction, assures, from then on, services will be held regularly in the temple. He also adds that the cathedral, once all the work is completed, will be more beautiful than ever.
