Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
As one of the most famous Gothic Cathedrals in the world, it is definitely a sight worth seeing while you are in Paris.
Located in central Paris on the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame is on a small island that is surrounded by the Seine River.
Due to the fact that many buildings in France have Notre Dame in their title, French people refer to the Cathedral as le Notre Dame de Paris.
The Notre Dame Cathedral was built during the Gothic period and it was one of the first Gothic churches completed.
Although the architecture of the Notre Dame showed many influences from earlier naturalist buildings, it was one of the first buildings in the world to build flying buttress, or supports on the outside of the building that are arched.
The building is stunning for many reasons, including its dimensions.
Visitors will regain perspective when the stare up at the 206 ft towers.
The building is an immense 134 ft wide.
It is said that the two towers are reaching for God, while the two horizontal stretches are to keep the building grounded on Earth.
In the center of the building is a circular window.
In front of this window are statues of the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus between two angels.
On the lower level, there are three large openings.
The Southern passageway is the Portal of St Anne, the middle passageway is the Portal of the Last Judgment and the Northern passageways it the Portal of the Virgin.
Many other details enrapture the visitor as they stare up at the looming building in the banks of the Seine.
The Notre Dame de Paris is open every day of the year and is free of charge.
The cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church, although visitors are not required to be Christians to enter.
Guests of all religions are requested to treat the church as a sanctuary and therefore be quiet and respectful while within it.
In addition, visitors are politely asked to wear proper clothing.
Services take place at 8 and 9 am during the week.
For visitors interested in tours of the cathedral, daily walks around the site are provided free of charge.
For one hour, the site is explained in detail, both architecturally and historically.
The sculptures and stained glass are also described.
Audio guides are also available to accompany visitors on solo tours around the Cathedral and last about 35 minutes.
The Notre Dame de Paris also includes a Treasury that hosts many different liturgical objects from the 17th and 18th centuries mainly made of gold.
The treasury has a modest entrance price.
Both cathedral towers are available to enter, which give the visitor incredible views of the city of Paris and close-ups of the Emmanuel Bell inside.
The Notre Dame de Paris can be accessed by the Metro at Station Cite or Saint-Michel on Ligne 4, the Station Hotel de Ville on Ligne 10 or the Station Chatelet on Lignes 7, 11 and 14.
Located in central Paris on the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame is on a small island that is surrounded by the Seine River.
Due to the fact that many buildings in France have Notre Dame in their title, French people refer to the Cathedral as le Notre Dame de Paris.
The Notre Dame Cathedral was built during the Gothic period and it was one of the first Gothic churches completed.
Although the architecture of the Notre Dame showed many influences from earlier naturalist buildings, it was one of the first buildings in the world to build flying buttress, or supports on the outside of the building that are arched.
The building is stunning for many reasons, including its dimensions.
Visitors will regain perspective when the stare up at the 206 ft towers.
The building is an immense 134 ft wide.
It is said that the two towers are reaching for God, while the two horizontal stretches are to keep the building grounded on Earth.
In the center of the building is a circular window.
In front of this window are statues of the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus between two angels.
On the lower level, there are three large openings.
The Southern passageway is the Portal of St Anne, the middle passageway is the Portal of the Last Judgment and the Northern passageways it the Portal of the Virgin.
Many other details enrapture the visitor as they stare up at the looming building in the banks of the Seine.
The Notre Dame de Paris is open every day of the year and is free of charge.
The cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church, although visitors are not required to be Christians to enter.
Guests of all religions are requested to treat the church as a sanctuary and therefore be quiet and respectful while within it.
In addition, visitors are politely asked to wear proper clothing.
Services take place at 8 and 9 am during the week.
For visitors interested in tours of the cathedral, daily walks around the site are provided free of charge.
For one hour, the site is explained in detail, both architecturally and historically.
The sculptures and stained glass are also described.
Audio guides are also available to accompany visitors on solo tours around the Cathedral and last about 35 minutes.
The Notre Dame de Paris also includes a Treasury that hosts many different liturgical objects from the 17th and 18th centuries mainly made of gold.
The treasury has a modest entrance price.
Both cathedral towers are available to enter, which give the visitor incredible views of the city of Paris and close-ups of the Emmanuel Bell inside.
The Notre Dame de Paris can be accessed by the Metro at Station Cite or Saint-Michel on Ligne 4, the Station Hotel de Ville on Ligne 10 or the Station Chatelet on Lignes 7, 11 and 14.
