Visit Notre Dame Cathedral de Paris which carries rich history with itself and is one of the first and greatest examples of French Gothic architecture. The construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris began in the 12th century and was opened in 1345. It is renowned for its gargoyles, which act as column supports, and its stained-glass windows from the 13th century, which allow light to enter the cathedral.

Given that the Notre Dame Cathedral is free to enter, it is frequently overcrowded, resulting in lengthy wait times. With tickets that include audio guides or guided tours, you can bypass the entrance line and explore the cathedral in solitude, in addition to entry in the Tower. Also, the cathedral can be included on full-day sightseeing tours, which often include visits to places such as the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe and Montmartre as well as a Seine River cruise, and provide an overview of French culture.

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Architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral

The cathedral's nave measures around 39 feet(in width) by 420 feet( in length). The Notre Dame Cathedral architecture is influenced by Romanesque architecture of the 11th century which is visible from its cruciform layout, raised nave, transept, and bell tower, but the pointed arches and rib vaulting were strictly Gothic.

Notre-dame is the first Gothic cathedrals with the use of exterior supports which is also known as "flying buttresses,". Stress cracks began to occur in the thin top walls due to the weight of the vault, which aroused the need for exterior supports to be added to the building's design.

In addition to the flying buttresses, Notre Dame Cathedral architecture has more than a dozen supporting piers that were built to counterbalance the lateral force of the nave vaulting and support the external walls. External statuary and gargoyles adorn the exterior of Notre-Dame, acting as both decorative accents and functional means of drainage. Notre-Dame Cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic art's influence on Christian architecture, as the Gothic cathedrals were taller and had more awe-inspiring designs; their stained glass windows allowed in more light and supplied greater Biblical art for the congregation.

Highlights of Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Exterior

The cathedral's exterior is notable because it was one of the first cathedrals to incorporate what are known as flying buttresses (external supports that sustain the structure from the outside). Statues and gargoyles adorn the building's prominent front, which also serves as a column support.

Notre Dame Interior

The cathedral's interior features vaulted ceilings and stained-glass panels, which let in varying shades of light. The transept contains two of these rose windows. A group of Old Testament characters surrounds Virgin Mary, while an angelic choir surrounds Christ in the South Rose Window. The massive organ at Notre Dame de Paris should not be missed either.

Notre Dame Towers

There are many beautiful views to be had from the top of these towers, which are 68 meters tall, and were made famous by Victor Hugo's novel ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. You'll also be able to see statues of demons and carrion birds, as well as the enormous 13-ton bell, also known as Emmanuel.

Notre Dame Crypts

In the Archeological Crypt of the Notre Dame Cathedral, visitors can find a treasure trove of information about the cathedral and Paris itself. Paris' medieval wall, as well as knowledge on the cathedral's Gallo-Roman predecessors, are on display in a new exhibition at the Musée du Louvre.

Notre Dame Cathedral's History

Maurice de Sully, the bishop of Paris, came up with the concept of merging the ruins of the two previous basilicas into a single cathedral in 1160. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone of Notre Dame in 1163, and the altar was consecrated in 1189. The construction of the cathedral took almost two centuries, beginning in 1163 under King Louis VII and concluding in 1345. You can find this 800-year-old Catholic relic in the ‘Ile de la Cite’, a little island in the midst of the Seine.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, like most historic landmarks, has seen both spectacular and sad events that will live on in the minds of future generations.Along with many remarkable events, the Notre Dame Cathedral History has witnessed the crowning of Henry VI of England in 1431. Napoleon, who was crowned Emperor in the Cathedral in 1804 and saved the Cathedral from destruction, was responsible for the Cathedral's restoration.

Know Before You Go To Notre Dame Cathedral

Essential Information

Tips

1. Location 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France

2. Timings- Monday to Friday : 08:00 a.m. to 06:45 p.m.- Saturday & Sunday: 08:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.

3. Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Notre Dame Cathedral is during the off-season which is generally between October to March as this is the time of year when the crowds are at their lowest. In addition, early mornings and late evenings on weekdays tend to be the best times to visit if you don't want to be disturbed by the loudness of the crowd. In contrast to other times of the day, a visit to this location in the evening will not provide you the opportunity to see its exquisite stained-glass windows.

4. How to Reach

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral which is located in the Cité which you can reach by taking a metro line 4. When aligning the trip from the right bank of the river, take the line 1 station Hotel de Ville whereas if you are travelling from the left bank of the river, take the line 10 station Maubert Mutualité.

It is definitely worthwhile to ascend the stairs to the top of Notre Dame, from where you can observe some grumpy-looking gargoyles and chimera statues as well as enjoy the most breath-taking views of the city.
Wear clothes that covers your shoulders and knees
Keep a watchful eye on your valuables like wallets to prevent yourself from pickpocketing.
Buy your tickets online in advanced for a confirmed slot on your choice of date and also enjoy discounts and offers on it
Make sure to see the Great Organ(largest organ in all of the France) which is safely preserved

Interesting Facts about Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral is dedicated to Virgin Mother Mary and is erected over a holy site for the Christian community.
It is considered as the starting point for French Roads, from which all other locations in Paris are measured.
The Notre Dame Cathedral's bells have a variety of names, including Denis, Emmanuel, Maurice, Benoit-Joseph, Gabriel, and more.
Wood from more than 1300 different tree species was used to construct the Notre Dame Cathedral's whole roof structure.
Notre Dame Cathedral is the first Gothic cathedral of France

FAQ's of Notre Dame Cathedral

Where can I book Notre Dame cathedral tickets?

You can visit Notre Dame Cathedral absolutely free, however, if you want to ascend and watch the views from the ‘Tower’, then you have to pay an entry fee which varies from 5 Euro to 8.5 Euro. You can book your tickets online to avail yourself of great deals which also include audio guides in your language.

What is Notre Dame cathedral known for?

Notre-Dame de Paris stands out for its size, age, and architectural interest and is the most well-known of all the medieval Gothic cathedrals. In a world which only sees facts, the cathedral has always stood up for values and humanity

Why is Notre Dame Cathedral so famous?

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and witness the beautiful architecture and rich history which makes this place so famous. The introduction of flying buttresses, which provided the necessary structural support for this enormous stone structure to hold more than 6,000 worshipers within, is one of the building's most notable innovations.

How massive is Notre Dame Cathedral?

The cathedral's nave measures around 39 feet(in width) by 420 feet( in length). The two towers are 69 meters in height.

Is the cathedral of Notre-Dame being rebuilt?

The cathedral, which suffered fire damage in 2019, is being restored and major changes like cleaning the interior have already been done. A temporary restoration to protect the cathedral’s walls, tower and vaults are also completed.