www.paris-things-to-do.co.uk - Things to do in Paris

Cathédrale Notre-Dame -
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame - Notre Dame Cathedral ranks as one of the world's greatest achievements of Gothic architecture. begun in 1163 and completed around 200 years later, with a massive interior. Although Notre Dame is regarded as a sublime architectural achievement, each of the three entrance arches are each a different shape!

The interior, which can hold over 6000 worshipers at one time, is dominated by enormous rose windows, and a recently restored 7800-pipe organ, that incidentally has not worked properly since! From the base of the north tower, open 0930 to 1845pm daily, you can climb to the top of the west facade and decide for yourself whether you check out the gargoyles or just enjoy the view of a huge swathe of Paris.

Under the square in front of the cathedral, an archaeological gem of a crypt displays in situ the remains of structures from the Gallo-Roman and later periods.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame - Notre Dame Cathedral is busy at all times, especially on Sundays, when due to masses, much of the building is closed to visitors.

The Cathedral is open from 0800 to 1845 daily with services at 0800, 0900, 1200 and 1845.

Admission is free to the main areas but a charge is made to ascend the towers.

The nearest Métro station is Cité and the nearest tram (RER) stop is Saint-Michel Notre-Dame.