Located at the center of Paris and that of France
(distances from Paris to all parts of France are calculated from the center
of the plaza), Notre Dame had witnessed some of the greatest moments in the
city's history. Its setting on the banks of the Seine is beautiful and
inspiring. This spot had seen people praying for over 2000 years; a Roman
temple, a Christian basilica and Romanesque church preceded the Gothic
masterpiece that is the cathedral. Construction on Notre Dame was started
in 1163 under the auspices of Bishop de Sully and completed around 1345,
roughly 180 years later. Despite various changes during the following
centuries, the cathedral remained largely unaltered until the French
Revolution when it was damaged by the revolutionaries. Napoleon restored
some of the cathedral's prestige by crowning himself emperor here in 1804,
but even after this event the building was left in decline until 1840's
when much needed restoration started (largely due to a petition written by
Victor Hugo, who brought the public's attention to the poor state of the
cathedral). The task of restoration was entrusted to Viollet-le-Duc, who
carried out extensive works remaking much of the statuary on the facade
and adding the gargoyles, which you can see up close if you brave the
ascent of the towers (actually, the ascent wasn't the tough part, but
waiting in line for an hour before the ascent was). Surely the view from
the top was worth it (even though the gargoyles were surrounded by fences
and you couldn't get very close).
The beautiful facade is divided neatly into three levels, with three
overwhelmingly carved portals guiding your entrance (the Portal of the
Virgin on the left, the Portal of the Last Judgement in the center and
the Portal of St. Anne on the right). Don't forget to walk around the
cathedral to see the array of flying buttresses supporting the choir.
They are really beautiful. Address: Ile de la Cité 6, Place du Parvis,
75004 Paris.
