Notre Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame is considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world
Due to a devastating fire causing severe damage to the the roof and vault of the Notre Dame on April 15th, 2019, it will be closed to the public until further notice. This valuable UNESCO World Heritage site will be restored with meticulous care.
Visitors can stil get a good view of the outside of the Cathedral from multiple vantage points including the streets of the Ile de la Cité, the bridges over the Seine, the left bank quays and the Ile Saint Louis.
How Long will it take to restore the Notre Dame Cathedral
No one knows for certain how long it might take to restore the Notre Dame after fire. While the President of France would like to see it done in 5 years, this is likely an overly optimistic goal. While the restoration is expected to cost upward of 1 billion dollars, money is not the issue. There are plenty of donations and funding to cover the cost. There are also skilled trades and craftsman who have the experience needed to do this type of work. The issue is simply that this type of work is painstaking and cannot be rushed. Most experts estimate the restoration will take 10 to 20 years and possibly much longer.
This is not the first time the Notre Dame has been damaged. It was also ravaged during the French Revolution, and was beautifully restored after that as well. It is a shame that the statues and stained glass windows destroyed during that time are lost forever.
Visiting the Notre Dame
Visitors to Paris can still enjoy seeing the outside of this magnificent structure. The renowned rose colour stained-glass windows and iconic twin square towers survived the fire. There is still plenty of architectural detail to discern and looking beyond the scafolding and reflecting, one can still envision the overall lines and beauty of this historic Cathedral. Many visitors still come by daily to do just that. There are plenty of vantage points on the surrounding streets and bridges and from the left bank of the Seine.
Interesting Facts and History
The Notre Dame Cathedral is a name that most people will immediately recognize. Notre Dame de Paris, meaning Our Lady of Paris, is its full name. The cathedral was built in the Gothic style and, up until the fire in April of 2019, it was actively used as a Roman Catholic church. It is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world.
The Notre Dame received much notoriety from the famous novel 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' by renowned author Victor Hugo which was published in 1831. Today it attracts over 13 million visitors and pilgrims each year. In holding with the view that worshiping the Lord should be open to all, there is no entrance fee to the cathedral. Visitors are asked to dress appropriately and to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb those who come to worship in its hallowed halls.
A number of significant events have taken place in the Notre Dame Cathedral. Some of those events include the coronation of Henry VI as king of France, the marriage of James V of Scotland to Madeleine of France, the coronation of Napoleon I, as well as the beautification and canonization of Joan of Arc.
The Notre Dame Cathedral was built on the exact site of the first Parisian Christian church, Saint Etienne basilica. The basilica was built on the site of a Roman temple to Jupiter. Thus the Notre Dame Cathedral symbolizes the victory of Christianity over the pagan Roman gods to some pilgrims.
Nearby attractions: Sainte Chapelle and The Latin Quarter
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: No. Access to inside the Cathedral is closed due to the fire but the outside and the restoration work can still be viewed from the surrounding streets.Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Phone: 01 42 34 56 10
Official Website: Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral Reviews
Rated out of 5
Wonderful cathedral with a rich history that is under renovation and rejuvenation now because of a massive fire that broke out in 2019. I went anyway because I wanted to take a look at it now, but happy to know that it will be reopened December 2024. Look out for the lovely music from street buskers, little shops along the cathedral and a photographer who takes photos of you and prints it into a newspaper-like feature that's a lovely souvenir. You pay as you like, and can don't pay too, but I paid €5 and got 3-4 shots. Lovely around Notre Dame!
Nicole Yang - a month ago
A Timeless Beauty, Even During Renovation
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris remains one of the most enchanting and impressive landmarks, even though it is currently closed for renovations following the fire in 2019. The cathedral’s stunning Gothic architecture and intricate details continue to captivate visitors from the outside, making it a worthwhile sight to behold.
Visiting this iconic site allows you to feel the history and charm of Paris. While entry to the interior is not possible, tourists can still enjoy the views and take photos from the surrounding areas, which remain vibrant and lively, reflecting the enduring spirit of this historic landmark.
Ming Assawamahasakda - a month ago
Visited while the reconstruction of the Notre Dame was still ongoing. Seeing it being reconstructed after the fire was incredible and the boards they have erected around the road side of the Cathedral was very interesting to read and see the progress so far. The spire reconstruction including the wood and craftsmanship used was good to see. I can’t wait to come back when it’s all done and open again.
Lukey Ward - 4 weeks ago
While you still can't go inside, as the rebuild is still ongoing, it is still worth stopping to see the gorgeous front facade
They have set up a viewing stand so you can get a decent view.
Lovely.
Barry Sullivan - a week ago
A stunning masterpiece of Gothic architecture!
The detailed stonework, stained glass windows, and sense of history are awe-inspiring.
Even during restoration, the beauty of Notre-Dame shines through.
A must-visit when in Paris to experience its cultural and spiritual significance.
Zwe Letyar Htut - a week ago
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M4 | Saint-Michel | 7 minutes |
| M10 | Cluny - La Sorbonne | 6 minutes |
| M1, 7, 11, or 14 | Châtelet | 12 minutes |
| RER B or C | Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame | 6 minutes |
How to get to Notre Dame Cathedral by Metro / RER
By Metro: From Metro Line 4 exit at Saint-Michel Station and cross the road to your right and walk north straight across the Saint-Michel Bridge. You will already see the Notre Dame to your right as you are crossing the bridge. From Metro Line 1,7,11, or 14 exit at Châtelet Station and follow Rue Saint-Denis south and cross the bridge over the Seine. Keep walking south on Blvd du Palais and go left just before the next bridge. The Notre Dame is straight ahead. From Cluny - La Sorbonne Station exit and go east to Rue Saint-Jacques; then left (north)continuing across the bridge.
By RER: Take RER B or C to Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame Station and cross the Saint-Michel Bridge. Notre Dame is visible on your right.
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Photo Gallery
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View of the Notre Dame from the River Seine cc licensed photo by Lynette Chea -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: amandabhslater - cc license via Flickr
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