Associated with romance, fashion and definitely lights, Paris is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations dazzling travelers from every corner of the planet. Be it a family holiday with kids, a romantic honeymoon, or a business trip, vacation in Paris means an experience of a different kind. From a plethora of attractions to the endless variety of things to do, Paris is where your dreams will come true!
Museums, art-galleries, famous landmarks, paradise-like gardens and parks, exquisite restaurants and cafes, fine shopping and vibrant nightlife is just the beginning. The only problem is — ‘Where to start from?’ Your visit to Paris will be incomplete if you miss out one of the most historically fascinating buildings of Paris, the mystical Notre Dame Cathedral – the city’s cradle, boasting a history of over eight hundred years old and considered a world-renowned example of Gothic architecture.
Ideally located in the heart of Paris on Ile de la Cite, a small island in the middle of the River Seine, the breathtaking Notre Dame is open every day of the year from 8 am to 6.45 pm, being closed only on Saturdays and Sundays at 7.15 pm. While not the biggest, it is the most famous and one of the grandest cathedrals in the entire world.
What to See in Notre Dame
The treasury of the cathedral is truly enticing, representing objects from every century, including sculptures, paintings, stained-glass windows and other amazing architectural elements created by the best gold workers who wanted to give the Lord their very best work.
The Portals
In Notre Dame you will find several portals depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, that are magnificent examples of early Gothic art. The Portal of St. Anne (Right West Portal) was the first to be installed (c. 1,200) featuring a tympanum showing the Virgin and Child on a throne, accompanied by two censing angels, a bishop with his assistant and a king. The Portal of the Virgin (Left West Portal) is dedicated to the patroness of the cathedral. It is surmounted by a gable and usually serves as the exit door for modern tourists. Here you will see the coronation of the Virgin, with an angel crowning Mary while Christ blesses her. And finally, the Last Judgment Portal (Center West Portal), sculpted last of the three, emphasizes the suffering savior of humanity.
Stained Glass Windows
A good and important part of the cathedral, the stained-glass windows of the Notre Dame date back to the 13th century remaining a beautiful work of Gothic art. The greatest survival of original glass, the three amazing rose windows — West Rose window, South Rose Window and North Rose Window, featuring symbolic scenes, shine like jewels with interesting details well worth exploring more thoroughly.
The Organs
Add to the cathedral’s acoustics and architecture, the organs play a key role in the spiritual and artistic influence of Notre Dame, contributing to the beauty of the services. There are three organs at Notre Dame de Paris, including the Great Organ, which is the largest in France and undoubtedly the most famous in the world; the Choir Organ with a 19th century neo-Gothic buffet; and the Positive Organ, a portable instrument to accompany the cathedral’s choir school’s ensembles and soloists.
Did you know that…
- Notre Dame is 130m long, 48m wide and35 m high.
- The twin towers culminate at 69 meters.
- The construction of Notre Dame de Paris began in 1163 by Maurice de Sully, the Paris Bishop, and the work lasted until 1270.
- Most architects and sculptors remained anonymous.
- The Cathedral is constructed from masonry cut stone.
- The Cathedral became victim to the French Revolution and many of the cathedral’s sculptures and gargoyles were removed or demolished.
- In 1831, Victor Hugo wrote a novel: ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ aiming to raise awareness and appreciation of the Cathedral, which at that period was in a state of disrepair.
- Partly inspired by Victor Hugo’s book, the restoration process began, and in the 19th century the Cathedral was fully restored.
- The 20 year long restoration was lead by a local architect called Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.
- The largest bell in Notre Dame’s bell tower is named ‘Emmanuel.’ The bell weighs over 13 tons.
- Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in the Notre Dame Cathedral and thereafter crowned Josephine, his empress.
- Access to the cathedral is free of charge during the opening hours but tickets are required to climb the steep narrow stairs to the top.
The principal church of the Catholic archdiocese of Paris, Notre Dame or the so-called ‘Our Lady of Paris,’ never fails to dazzle and fascinate locals and international travelers alike. Do not forget to arrive early in the day to avoid the crowds!