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Notre-Dame Cathedral also known as Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the main attractions of Paris. It is in the heart of Cité where was founded this wonderful city. It is just on the cathedral square that the kilometer zero of all national highways is located.

Both specialists and tourists are unanimous in opinion that the cathedral by its beauty, proportions and harmony is an exclusive sample of Gothic style in architecture. It was laid down by Archbishop Maurice de Sully in 1160 and finished only 170 years later.

Facade of the Cathedral is richly decorated. It has three portals: on the central one you can see the scenes of the Last Judgment. Left portal is dedicated to Virgin Mary, and right portal – to her mother St. Anne. Above the doors (portals) there is the famous Gallery of kings of Israel. 

During French Revolution it was completely destroyed as the people thought them to be sculptures of French kings. A bit higher there is the rose window with original stained glass. In the right-side tower there hanged the famous six-ton bell having a peculiar sounding. Today it is rarely used though Quasimodo had often to toll it (or maybe it was just imagination of V. Hugo).

Observation Deck of the Cathedral located at the foot of towers is considered the most impressive in Paris. Apart from magnificent views of central Paris you can have from there, chimeras of Notre-Dame de Paris are undoubtedly its main attraction. Original sculptures were ruined. They were restored in the middle of XIX century. These chimeras are mentioned in world famous musical ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’. When looking at them you at once recall the novel of Victor Hugo, who shrouded the Cathedral with a mystic atmosphere.

The Cathedral accommodates about nine thousand people. As any other Gothic temple, it has no wall paintings, but it has many coloured stained glass windows, including three rose windows on the front and side walls. The chapel near altar houses the Christian relics – the Crucifixion Thorn of Jesus Christ, which was brought there in XIII century after crusaders plundered Constantinople during the fourth crusade.

The Cathedral is surrounded by a beautiful garden (or park) reaching the northern tip of the island. Both Parisians and tourists like to have promenades there. Low embankments look especially romantic in the district and are frequented by sweet couples.

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Monsters on the gallery of Notre Dame de Paris silently look at Paris for many centuries
Notre Dame de Paris as seen from Quai Montebello where there are always many artists
Right side of Notre Dame Cathedral as seen from the Seine
Square in front of Notre Dame Cathedral
The largest bell of the cathedral. Maybe it was this bell that Quasimodo from the novel of Hugo tolled.
Dragon on the gallery of Notre Dame over the quarters of Ile de la Cite
Monsters on the right tower of Notre Dame Cathedral
Monsters on the gallery of Notre Dame de Paris silently look at Paris for many centuries
Monster on the right tower of Notre Dame Cathedral
Indifferent look of monsters on the gallery of Notre Dame Cathedral
There is a solitary angel surrounded by monsters between the two towers of Notre Dame Cathedral
These monsters look at the angel on the roof of Notre Dame de Paris
Towers of Notre Dame Cathedral can be seen from the Seine
Rose stained glass window on the central façade of Notre Dame Cathedral
Kings of Israel and Judea on the front gallery of Notre Dame Cathedral
Totally, there are 28 kings of Israel and Judea on the front gallery of Notre Dame Cathedral
Main entrance of Notre Dame Cathedral
Monument of the king Clovis on the square in front of Notre Dame Cathedral
Pleasure boats on the Seine
Garden in the east of Ile de la Cite near the apse of Notre Dame Cathedral
View on the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral from Quai Montebello
View on the central nave of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Seine from the south tower 
Central nave of Notre Dame Cathedral
Right nave of Notre Dame Cathedral
Colonnade of Notre Dame Cathedral was built in 13 century
There are many original stained glass windows at Notre Dame Cathedral
Rose stained glass windows on the right side of Notre Dame Cathedral
Rose stained glass window on the right side of the cathedral as seen from outside
Façade of Notre Dame Cathedral