Paris Weekend Break

Notre Dame

Actually called Notre Dame de Paris, this magnificent cathedral was the setting for the story of the hunchback of Notre Dame and it is one of the most recognised buildings in the world.

The construction of Notre Dame cathedral commenced in the twelth century under the reign of Louis VII, but it was not completed until the year 1345.

The cathedral is gothic in style and has a number of historical and visually important features including its large rose window and the use of flying buttresses, a comparatively new design methodology at that time.

The main features of Notre Dame de Paris are the two large towers at its main western entrance, a highly ornate stone portico (stone archway), the elaborate flying buttresses that span out from the eastern facade, and the use of what almost appears to be stone lattice work to give the building its tall but light appearance.

A fine narrow spire also extends skywards from the centre of the building and the cathedral manages to offer completely different images of itself depending up on which of its elevations you choose to view. The scale of Notre Dame is a further feature that has to be experienced to be appreciated.

Within Notre Dame de Paris there are numerous exhibits including, paintings, furniture and medals.

An interesting fact

In the nineteenth century the cathedral started to fall in to dissrepair and it was rumoured that there were plans to demolish it.

The story has it that Victor Hugo, the writer of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, used the cathedral as a backdrop for his story in order to increase public awareness and sympathy for the building.

The extent to which his story telling intervention prevented the building's demolition is unknown, but it remains today having been renovated and restored.

Admission to Notre Dame

Standard entry (excluding the towers) is free and there are guided tours, but only in French! Opening hours are from 7.45am to 6.45pm daily and the cathedral is open on most Bank Holidays.