Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris - Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre Dame is located on a natural island called Île de la Cité. This is the central point of the city, a landmark to measure the distance from Paris to other parts of France. This church was the result of a major construction effort, which began in 1163 and ended in the mid-14th century. A major restoration project began in 1845 and lasted for two decades.

For a first introduction to this magnificent church, head over from Parvis Square. From here you will see a large façade to the west, famous for its three doors carved with exquisite religious scenes. From Piazza Jean XXIII on the south and east sides of the church, you'll see the high pedestals at their best angle. The Seine is also a great spot to admire the cathedral's architecture, and boat tours of the city also route through it.

Below the church is a layer of underground structures. At the foot of Notre Dame Cathedral more than 260 feet (79 meters) is a strange Archaeological Catacombs. The catacombs contain interesting artifacts from the Gallo-Roman period, including the ancient remains of a house from the time of Lutèce, as Paris was called during the Roman period.

No ticket is required to enter the church, and there are one-hour guided tours in various languages throughout the day that introduce the church. If you want to visit on your own, guides and brochures are two great options.

Visitors have to pay a fee to see the world famous Notre Dame tower. This is not only a historical treasure but also famous for its connection to Victor Hugo's classic novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The 50-minute tour takes visitors through the overhead structures of the west facade to get a closer look at the gutters and the giant Emmanuel bell, which weighs more than 13 tons.

Other highlights inside the church include three quaint stained-glass windows, of which the north-facing window dates from the 13th century, and the impressive Dai Phong organ.

Address : Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 Parvis Notre Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris

Website source: https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/