Notre-Dame de Paris- History, Architecture and Tips for Visiting

On a small island in the Seine river, you will find the world famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, its towers reaching up to Heaven from the heart of Paris.

It’s a cathedral that should be included in every Paris itinerary, especially if it’s your first trip to Paris. I have visited Notre-Dame three times now and still feel like if I went back again I would discover something new, appreciate things that I had maybe overlooked.

Notre-Dame is not just a site of worship- it’s a place with a rich history and significant architectural achievements.  Thousands of years after its construction, people still travel the world over to marvel at its beauty.

UPDATE: On April 15, 2019, Notre-Dame Cathedral caught fire. Much of the cathedral, which was undergoing restoration work at the time, was destroyed. The ceiling and spire collapsed, but thankfully the façade and towers were saved. The cathedral will be rebuilt, but it will take many years to complete. Notre-Dame Cathedral is on track to reopen to visitors in 2024.

History of Notre-Dame de Paris

In 1160, Bishop Maurice de Sully ordered the demolition of Paris’ previous cathedral, St. Stephen’s. Three years later construction of a new cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris began.

Bishop de Sully devoted his life, and much of his wealth, to the creation of “Our Lady of Paris”. It was a construction that would continue for many years after his death in 1196. Four different architects worked on the cathedral throughout its construction period. It was the fourth architect that oversaw the completion of the west facade and its rose window in 1225. By 1250 the western towers and North Rose Window were completed and the remaining elements were put in place by 1345.

The church was significantly damaged by revolutionaries in 1792, when many large statues and cathedral portals were destroyed. In 1845 an extensive restoration program began, led by architects Antoine Lassus and Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. The restoration would take 25 years before it was completed.

Architecture of Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre-Dame is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. It was one of the first buildings in the world to incorporate flying buttresses as a means of supporting exterior walls. Many small statues, all individually crafted, can be seen around the exterior of the building. Some statues were used as column supports and others, such as the famous gargoyles, as water spouts. The three large rosettes are regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of Christianity.

The West Facade

The imposing west facade has been called everything from “a masterpiece of composition and execution,” by Marcel Aubert to “a pure creation of the spirit” by Le Corbusier. It’s simple yet complex, contrasting yet harmonious.

The west facade spans 41 metres wide and rises up 63 metres to the top of the towers. The centre displays a large rose, 9.6 metres in diameter, that forms a halo above a statue of the Virgin with Child. On each side of the Virgin stand two angels.

Underneath the balustrade is the Gallery of Kings. This row of 28 statues represents twenty-eight generations of Kings of Judah.

On the lower level, there are four buttresses each with a niche that houses a statue. The north buttress portrays St. Stephen, the south, St. Denis. The two side buttresses portray allegories of the Synagogue and the Church.

In between the buttresses are three large portals, each one different than the next. The right/south portal is called the Portal of St. Anne. The left/north portal is the Portal of the Virgin and is topped by a triangular gable. The central portal, the Portal of the Last Judgement is the tallest and widest of the three.

Portal of the Last Judgement

The Portal of the Last Judgement is rich in symbolism and tells quite the interesting story. Luckily, we had a guide who could explain it all to us.

To make it easier to understand, I’ll first explain some architectural terms. A “lintel” is ornamented structural item often found over portals, doors and window. A “tympanum” is a semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. And lastly, “archivolts” are ornamental moldings or bands following the underside curve of an arch.

The lower lintel shows the dead being revived from their graves. On the upper lintel, archangel Michael is weighing their souls. The chosen people, who showed love to God and fellow man, are led towards Heaven on the left. The condemned are led by a devil to hell on the right. Above all this you can see the tympanum, with Christ majestically seated on his throne of glory.

Above Christ, on the archivolts, are figures of the Heavenly Court. Angels, patriarchs, prophets, martyrs, virgins and church doctors are all represented with Hell taking up a small space at the right.

The Rose Windows

The North Rose Window was built between 1250-1260. Its diameter is 12.9 meters (as is the South Rose Window). The centre oculus features Mary holding the Christ Child. Surrounding them are images of kings and prophets of the Old Testament.

The South Rose Window was built in 1260 as a counterpoint to the North Rose Window. It was a gift from King St. Louis. Its 84 panes are divided into four circles and is dedicated to the New Testament.

The Organs

There are three organs in Notre- Dame Cathedral, the most famous being the Great Organ. With 8,000 pipes and five keyboards, it’s the largest organ in France.

The Spire

Notre-Dame’s original spire, which was also a bell tower, was taken down from 1786-1792. During Viollet-le-Duc’s restoration, he decided to build a second spire which was modelled after the spire built in Orleans in 1852. It’s adorned with copper statues of the 12 Apostles. Viollet-le-Duc actually included himself in the mix, representing himself as St. Thomas.

The Gargoyles

My favourite part of Notre-Dame is the gargoyles. You can get an up close view of the famous gargoyles, which were designed as water spouts, by climbing 387 steps to the top of the bell towers. The climb up the spiral staircases is worth it not only for the gargoyles, but for the sweeping panoramic view of the city.

Tips for Visiting Notre-Dame de Paris

Accommodations in Paris

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