Notre-Dame de Paris is the geographical and spiritual centre of Paris, as well as one of the most visited historical monuments in Europe. It is located on the Île de la Cité on the banks of the Seine, is the pinnacle of Gothic architecture, and is a witness to the history of France. The fire of 2019 made the whole world hold its breath, and after five years of restoration, the cathedral reopened to the public on 8 December 2024.
Construction That Lasted Almost Two Centuries
Construction of Notre-Dame began in 1163 on the initiative of the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully; Pope Alexander III personally laid the first stone. The work continued for almost two centuries: the choir was completed first, the nave around 1200, the west façade by approximately 1225, and the two towers 69 metres high were topped out by 1245. Interior decoration continued until the middle of the 14th century. During this time, several architects succeeded one another, which led to subtle differences in the style of different parts — the horizontal lines of the west towers form an interesting contrast with the verticality of the nave.
From Revolution to Revival: The Turbulent History of Notre-Dame de Paris
The history of Notre-Dame was not cloudless. During the French Revolution of 1789, the cathedral suffered serious damage: the spire was demolished, statues were beheaded, treasures were plundered, and the building at one time served as a wine warehouse and even faced the threat of demolition.
It was saved by Victor Hugo. In 1831, he published the novel "Notre-Dame de Paris," returning the forgotten cathedral to the centre of public attention. Hugo`s literary tribute prompted the restoration: the architect Viollet-le-Duc supervised the work for 20 years, restored the spire, and added new decorative elements.
On 15 April 2019, a fire destroyed the roof and spire of Notre-Dame. The shocked world reacted instantly: more than 340,000 private donors from 150 countries promised help within 24 hours, and in the end 846 million euros were raised. The restoration took five years, and on 8 December 2024 the cathedral again opened its doors to visitors.
The Architecture of Notre-Dame de Paris: A Textbook of Gothic
Notre-Dame is an example of early Gothic. The length of the building is 130 metres, and the height of the nave vault is 32.5 metres. The west façade is the most complete visual chapter: it is vertically divided by pilasters into three parts and horizontally into three tiers. The three pointed portals at the bottom are dedicated to the Virgin, the Last Judgment, and St Anne.
The roses are one of the main treasures of the cathedral. Three enormous rose windows are located on the west, north, and south sides; the north rose has survived best of all, its diameter reaching 13 metres. During the fire of 2019, these medieval stained-glass windows miraculously survived.
The towers are open for climbing: 424 steps lead to the viewing platform of the south tower. From there, a panorama of Paris and a view of the cathedral`s spire open up. The towers are open from April to September daily from 9:00 to 23:00, and from October to March from 9:00 to 17:30.
Gargoyles and Chimeras — the Most Famous "Inhabitants" of Notre-Dame de Paris
These stone monsters are not merely decoration. To understand them correctly, it is important to distinguish between two types of creatures that are almost always confused.
Gargoyles are functional elements serving as waterspouts. Their name comes from the French gargouille — "throat" or "gutter." Rainwater flowed down the roof and poured out through the open mouth of the gargoyle, diverting moisture from the walls of the cathedral and protecting the masonry from destruction. The most beautiful gargoyles are at the level of the great flying buttresses of the choir; they date from the 13th century and have survived well thanks to the durable limestone from the Seine basin.
Chimeras are purely decorative sculptures that perform no practical function. They appeared considerably later — in the middle of the 19th century, during the restoration under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Inspired by Victor Hugo`s novel "Notre-Dame de Paris," the architect created 56 new chimeras to return to the cathedral the fantastic and mysterious atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The chimeras depict grotesque creatures with the bodies of monkeys, the wings of bats, goat horns, and snake heads. The most famous of them is the Strix (Stryge), a winged night demon — half woman, half bird — which, according to legend, fed on the blood of infants.
How to See the Gargoyles and Chimeras
To examine them up close, it is necessary to climb the towers of Notre-Dame. It is there, on the Gallery of Chimeras (Galerie des Chimères) connecting the towers, that the famous sculptures are located.
Cost and Tickets for the Towers of Notre-Dame
• An adult ticket costs €16.
• Important: tickets are sold only online on the official website of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. It is impossible to buy them on site. For holders of the Museum Pass, the same system applies — it is necessary to reserve a free time slot in advance.
Climbing the Towers of Notre-Dame de Paris
You will face 424 steps up a narrow spiral staircase — there is no lift. The route is one-way: up the south tower, down through the north tower. At the top, a panorama of Paris and a unique opportunity to see the gargoyles and chimeras up close open up.
Practical Tips
• Book in advance. Time slots for the towers open 3 months ahead and are quickly taken in high season.
• Come on time. If you are late, you may not be admitted.
• Best time: morning or late evening — fewer people. On Thursdays the cathedral is open until 22:00, and this is the calmest option.
The Crypt and the Treasury of Notre-Dame de Paris
Besides the free entry to the main nave of the cathedral, Notre-Dame has two separate exhibition spaces, each of which requires its own ticket. They are located in different places and tell about completely different sides of the cathedral`s history.
The Archaeological Crypt (Crypte archéologique)
The entrance to the crypt is located under the square in front of the cathedral. This is not a church room, but an archaeological museum created on the basis of the excavations of 1965–1972. Here the history of Paris itself as a city is presented, not the relics of the cathedral. Ticket: about €6 (for adults).
On the route about 200 metres long, you can see:
• the remains of the Gallo-Roman port of Lutetia — the wharves and embankments of the ancient city;
• fragments of Roman thermae (baths);
• a section of the city wall from the early 4th century;
• the foundations of the medieval Rue Neuve-Notre-Dame, which once crossed the Île de la Cité;
• traces of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital and later buildings.
The exhibition is equipped with 3D projections, touch screens, and models that help to imagine what these structures looked like in different eras. The crypt is especially interesting for those who want to understand how Paris grew and changed over two thousand years.
The Cathedral Treasury (Trésor)
The Treasury is located inside the cathedral, with the entrance through the south side aisle, in the former sacristy. Unlike the crypt, here religious relics and liturgical objects connected with the history of the cathedral and the Catholic tradition are collected. Ticket: about €6.
The main treasure is the Crown of Thorns (Couronne d`épines). According to tradition, this is the very crown that was on Christ`s head before the crucifixion. King Louis IX acquired it in 1238 from the Byzantine emperor.
Besides the crown, the Treasury holds:
• a fragment of the Life-Giving Cross;
• one of the holy nails, with which, according to tradition, Christ was nailed;
• reliquaries, tabernacles, and liturgical vessels;
• vestments and objects donated to the cathedral by French kings and noble families.
• Veneration of the Crown of Thorns is held: every first Friday of the month from 15:00 to 17:00;
• Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9:30–18:00 (on Thursdays until 21:00), Sunday 13:00–17:30.
• Important: tickets to the Treasury are sold only on site; online booking is not available.
What You Must See in Notre-Dame de Paris
• The west façade — three portals, the Gallery of Kings, the rose. Note the reliefs of the Last Judgment portal: they are considered among the finest examples of Gothic sculpture.
• The north rose — the best-preserved of the three roses, 13 metres in diameter. It is best viewed in the morning, when light passes through the stained glass.
• The Treasury — here relics are kept, including the Crown of Thorns, which is displayed for veneration on certain days.
• The crypt — the archaeological crypt under the square in front of the cathedral shows traces of Roman and medieval buildings that existed on this site before Notre-Dame.
• The towers — the climb of 424 steps is worth it for the view of Paris and the chimeras.
The Île de la Cité — the cathedral itself stands on the oldest part of Paris. Nearby are the Sainte-Chapelle with its stained glass and the Conciergerie — the former prison where Marie Antoinette was held.
Practical Information
• Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame — Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris.
• Nearest Underground station: Cité (line 4), Saint-Michel (lines 4 and RER B, C).
• Entry to the cathedral: free, but advance booking online or through the app is required to manage the flow of visitors.
• Towers: separate ticket, about €16. Booking in advance is recommended.
• Crypt: separate ticket, about €6.
• Treasury: separate ticket, about €6.
• Opening hours: the cathedral is usually open daily from 8:00 to 18:45 (on Thursdays until 22:00). The towers — depending on the season.
Notre-Dame de Paris is not just an architectural monument. It is a place where the history of France has been made for more than eight centuries: royal weddings and ceremonies took place here, victories were proclaimed here and farewells were said to great people, and here Napoleon placed the imperial crown on himself in 1804. The fire of 2019 and the revival that followed added a new chapter to this history — about the fragility of heritage and about the fact that even after a catastrophe, one can start anew.
