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Come and visit the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité in Paris, a Gothic masterpiece on the UNESCO World Heritage List that was celebrated by Victor Hugo's novel published in 1831. Discover panoramic views over the historic centre of the French capital.
Visiting the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral
• A famous facade. Its design had considerable influence throughout Europe. Its Gallery of Kings initiated a key motif in cathedral art. After climbing 400 steps, you arrive at the Chimera gallery, then the legendary great bell weighing 13 tonnes, and finally the panoramic terrace. The "Victor Hugo" trail includes the sound of the bells and explanatory notices.
• The cathedral. It houses famous great organs, a collection of paintings, and a treasure house with relics of the Passion of Christ once housed in the neighbouring Sainte Chapelle.
Understanding the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Construction and restoration. It is a quintessential Gothic cathedral, and building started in 1163 and lasted over 170 years. Until the building of Amiens Cathedral in the 13th century, it was the largest religious building in the West. Between 1847 and 1864, Lassus and Viollet-le-Duc restored part of the sculpted decorations, and even recomposed parts basing their work on old documents and works in the Cathedrals of Chartres, Reims and Amiens, the first time such an approach had been adopted.
• A place of national commemoration. The Te Deum mass has been sung here since 1447 to celebrate victory and a major funeral service preceded the burial of kings in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis.
