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Notre Dame is located in what you could consider the heart of Paris, on the Ile de la Cité. All distances in France are measured from this place, which is known as kilometer zero.
Work on Notre Dame was begun in 1163 by the Bishop Maurice de Sully. The cathedral was completed around 1300. The flying buttresses and gargoyles were a new innovation of the time. Be sure to look around the outside of the entire church, as its exterior is very impressive.
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor here, and Josephine his Empress. The cathedral was once going to be demolished, until Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris became a huge success and interest grew in restoring the cathedral.
At the time, houses were stacked right up to the entrance of Notre Dame, and it was Baron Haussmann who ordered them to be removed so that the cathedral could be seen well from the parvis.
The façade of the church shows three scenes: the Virgin, the Last Judgment, and Ste. Anne.
For a rare look at Paris and some great photo opportunities, climb the towers up 223 feet. There is a small fee for this.
Inside, the north rose window is beautiful and worth a look.
Among Notre Dame’s relics are the True Cross and the Crown of Thorns.
