Notre Dame Cathedral

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The Notre Dame is considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a name that many people will know. Notre Dame de Paris is its full name, meaning Our Lady of Paris. The cathedral is built in the Gothic style and is a Roman Catholic church that is still in use today. 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.

Though the Cathedral was ravaged during the French Revolution, it has been beautifully restored. It is a shame that the statues and stained glass windows destroyed during that time are lost forever. In spite of this desecration the Cathedral still has many architectural features that must be seen. There are the portals, the west front with its two enormous towers and the stained glass windows that remain, including the various rose windows.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is visited by many people each day and hundreds come to attend the various mass services. If you truly want to experience the Roman Catholic church then this is the place to do it.

Nearby attractions: Sainte Chapelle and The Latin Quarter

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Access to the cathedral is open and free of charge every day of the year, during the opening hours. Donations are welcome if you feel it is appropriate. Access to the cathedral Towers is free with the Paris Pass otherwise admission charges apply.

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France

Phone: 01 42 34 56 10

Official Website: Notre Dame Cathedral

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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Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris Star Rating

No wonder people from all around come to beautiful Paris to see this place among many other Parisian treasures. Notre Dame is pure history and architecture. A colossal beauty. If you can avoid the lines and visit the crypt area, fantastic. If not, it's worth the wait anyways. This is a great landmark that must be visited and appreciated with calm and time. Don't be rushy.

Michael Rachid - 2 days ago

Absolutely amazing! Full of history, beautiful, awe-inspiring. So much to look at so take enough time. The additional museum of treasures is also well worth the small extra cost. The paintings, statues, carvings, tile work, and architecture are fascinating. There's a great exhibit showing the church though the centuries, thankfully in several languages. I didn't do the audio tour, but it would have probably been a good idea. There's just so much to take in without enough context to fully appreciate it otherwise. It's not a requirement though. I still enjoyed every minute.

Arian Kulp - 3 days ago

One of the most beautiful and largest church ever visited. Its huge and intricately beautiful. Its free to visit the cathedral. But if one wants to visit the towers then has to pay a fee. Try to visit early morning to avoid rush. The exterior can be well photographed towards the second half as the setting sun will lit up the entrance

Tomal Bhattacharjee - 5 days ago

Wow! Wow! Wow! We did not know how Grand this Cathedral was until we saw it first hand. Very busy, as it it is a top five must see when in Paris. Well worth the line up to see the interior. We were very fortunate as there was a church service going on at the same time we toured. Take a day and go see this historic Cathedral. You won't be disappointed.

Darrell Clarke - 11 days ago

Wow! What an amazing place. It is an active church so you can attend a service there. Great time to wonder around for a few hours. And even the courtyard with all the pigeons was loads of fun. It is fascinating for someone like me being a Born again believer in Jesus (reformation Protestant) to look back at so much church history, both positive and negative. All the Beautiful work done here though and the stories of that work, architecture, and stained glass, of the devotion of those making them reminds me that even in the darkest times there are true Christians who try to honor Jesus and act like He did.

Matthew Stubbs - 26 days ago

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