Of all the eclectic monuments, churches and museums spread around Paris, the Notre Dame Cathedral is worthy of an honorable mention.
Visited by over thirteen million people from around the world each year, the Notre Dame is the true heart and soul of Paris! This Gothic masterpiece is a witness of the grandeur of French architecture, and stands tall along the banks of the Seine River. This is no small feat, as the foundation stone was laid back in 1163. With more than 12.5 million visitors coming into visit this spectacular creation, it goes without saying that the Notre Dame is the most visited monument in Paris.
To sum it up, a trip to Paris is incomplete without a tour of the Notre Dame!
History of the Notre Dame
As mentioned, the work on the cathedral began in 1160 and was completed in the year 1260. However, due to the French Revolution in the 1790s, a substantial part of the religious depictions were damaged, leading to the desecration of the monument. Post the successful novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1831, there was a definite interest in reviving the monument. The renowned French architect and author Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, spearheaded the revival and the construction restarted in 1845 and continued for twenty five years. In the year 1963, the culture minis4ter decided to make Notre Dame, a world renowned monument; the façade was cleared of grime, soot and dust, looking classic in its original of-white color. Another phase of major restorative activity began from 1991 and continued till 2000.
Notre Dame Cathedral – Location (Map)
The address is 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Interesting Facts About the Notre Dame Cathedral
When visiting the cathedral, there are a lot of options to choose from. You can visit the interiors of the Church, and witness its magnificence in full force, or you could climb up to the top of the structure’s infamous towers, which involves climbing a good 387 steep steps. If you are a sucker for breath taking views, however, this trip is worth your while!
The entrance to the Crypt is right outside the Cathedral, and allows the guests to witness the historic ruins that lie beneath the structure. Some of these are thought to be as old as the city itself!
Located behind the Cathedral on the East and South sides is the garden of Square Jean XXIII, which offers a highly picturesque view of the Cathedral from a different perspective. No matter how many times you come back to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the amazing landscape and the historic structure never ceases to amaze!
Notre Dame is the Basilica of the Paris Archdiocese and the construction took close to 200 years to complete.
Exterior Design and Architecture
The exterior of the Notre Dame Cathedral is a visual treat thanks to the numerous inconsistencies. On the front and west side, you get a glimpse of the three Arched Portals and two Bell Towers that are at a height of around 226 feet from the ground level.
Right above the portal is the King’s Gallery, which consists of a series of 28 statues of Israeli monarchs. Right above the gallery is the center of the West Rose Window – a topic that we will get back to shortly!
The side view of the Cathedral masks the true size and detail of the Notre Dame. If you take a walk along either side of the Cathedral, the view will be significantly different. And as you take a stroll around the massive structure, a feeling of being observed from above engulfs your entire being!
This sense is further strengthened by the massive gargoyles that sit above the Cathedral. IN the olden days, these Gothic creatures were responsible for scaring away evil spirits, and were secondarily used as water spouts to disperse the accumulated water from the roof.
The primary reason for the gargoyles sticking out is to prevent damage from water running down the side of the building and damaging the mortar between the stones.
As you walk towards the rear end of the building, towards Square Jean III, the view is dramatically different. The view of the 300 feet tall Spire from this location is undoubtedly the best. On closer inspection of the Spire, the twelve copper statues of the Apostles offer a welcoming sight. This is when you realize the true grandeur of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Garden of Square Jean III is the best place to sit back and relax or enjoy a picnic under the warm sunny sky, in the lap of Mother Nature. Keeping you company is the Fountain of the Virgin, which was added in 1845, alongside the Seine.
The Interior
Upon entering the Notre Dame, an immense sense of entering the world’s grandest Cathedral surrounds you almost immediately. The Notre Dame is easily one of the biggest churches in existence, and the huge vaulted ceiling along with the three-stained Glass Rose Window keeps visitors looking upwards for a major part of the tour.
The Three Rose Windows have witnessed and survived seven decades of human evolution. Also notable are the three organs of Notre Dame, among which the Great Organ is undoubtedly the biggest organ in France and the most notable one in the world!
The Treasury of Notre Dame deserves a special mention, since it is responsible for the protection and conservation of all religious artefacts that are considered sacred. Some of the items on the list include manuscripts, crowns, crosses and chalices, many of which are made up of precious metals like gold and silver.
One of the most prized possessions of the Cathedral is the Coronation Robe worn by Napoleon.
The Crypt
The Crypt is located right underneath the Cathedral and offers a rare glimpse into the history of Paris. Some of the structures down there are from 27 BC! The area is quite massive and is split into quite a few layers. The collection starts from the 20th Century and goes all the way back in time, as you proceed towards the banks of the Seine River.
Notre Dame Cathedral – Tickets and Opening Hours
Visitors are welcome to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 6.45 PM, and from 8 AM to 7.15 PM on the weekends. Locally guided tours are available for 5 Euro.
The Treasury timings are different from the Cathedral, and visitors are allowed into the premises from 9.30 AM to 6 PM during weekdays and from 9.30 AM to 6.30 PM during the weekends. The entry fee is 3 Euro.
The Towers are open to the public from April 1st to September 13st from 10 AM to 6.30 PM, seven days a week. Visitors are allowed to stay back till 11 PM during Friday and Saturday between the months of July and August. Between October 1st and March 31st, the timings change from 10 AM to 5.30 PM. The full fare per person is 10 Euro, while citizens from European countries enjoy a 2 Euro discount.
The Crypt is open for public viewing between Tuesday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM for an entry fee of 7 Euro.
Have you been to the Notre Dame Cathedral recently? What was the experience like? Share your stories with us via the Comments Section below.
Notre Dame Cathedral -Pictures
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