Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral
Categories : Leisure, published on : 4/4/23
Beyond its religious function, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the jewels of national and world architectural and cultural heritage.
It is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in France.
This masterpiece of Gothic architecture, proudly standing on the Île de la Cité, is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and France.
Its construction began in the 12th century, under the impetus of Bishop Maurice de Sully, and lasted nearly two centuries, finally concluding in the mid-14th century.
Heavily damaged during the French Revolution, the cathedral, boosted by a resurgence in popularity thanks to Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris, published in 1823, was restored in the 19th century by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. He took some architectural liberties, sometimes controversial, such as adding a new spire.
The cathedral is linked to many episodes in French history: the arrival in 1239 of the relics of the Passion, purchased by Saint Louis in 1838, including the crown of thorns, a piece of the cross and a nail used in the crucifixion of Christ; the addition of a new high altar by Louis XIV in the 17th century, in accordance with the promise of his father Louis XIII; the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804; the baptism of the last of the Bourbons of France in 1821; the funerals of several presidents of the French Republic (Adolphe Thiers, Sadi Carnot, Paul Doumer, Georges Pompidou, François Mitterrand); the celebration of the Liberation of Paris in 1944...
This magnificent place holds many wonders in store for you. You will be particularly dazzled by the stained-glass windows and rose windows (the two rose windows adorning each arm of the transept are among the largest in Europe), the spire, and the gargoyles.
In 2013, the church celebrated its 850th anniversary. On this occasion, eight bells and a large bell were added to renew Notre-Dame's bell collection.
The devastating fire of April 15, 2019, destroyed the iconic spire and the entire roof covering the nave, choir, and transept.
This was the most significant damage suffered by the cathedral since its construction. As a result, Notre-Dame was closed to the public.
The decision was made in 2020 to rebuild the destroyed or severely damaged sections exactly as they were, and the cathedral reopened to the public on December 8, 2024.
Enjoy your stay at the Hotel Jardin Le Bréa***, to climb the 422 steps of the towers, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover a panoramic view of the capital.
How to get to Notre-Dame Cathedral from the Hôtel Jardin Le Bréa?
Notre-Dame Cathedral - 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
- From the Hotel Jardin Le Bréa, take metro line 4 to Vavin (1-minute walk), direction Porte de Clignancourt, Saint-Michel station. The cathedral is about a 5-minute walk from there.
The total travel time from our hotel is 15 minutes.
Practical Information
https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/
