Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral

Whatever the trials and tribulations, the old lady keeps watch over the Île de la Cité. For 5 years, she shared the esplanade with the scaffolding before regaining her full glory and her place as the most visited national monument. And while the bells of Notre-Dame once again resound in the skies over Paris, the towers themselves have reopened their doors. Visitors can finally climb the double spiral staircases to a height of 69 metres and enjoy a breathtaking view of Paris, its surroundings and the spire of the cathedral. The tour route has been enriched and promises some great surprises.

The great lady of stone

At a height of 69 metres, the cathedral stands out in the landscape. It's impossible to stand still in front of its Gothic facade, its carved portal and its magnificent rosace. Notre-Dame is more than just a place of worship. It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Just a few metres away, the Sainte-Chapelle echoes it with its dazzling stained glass windows. And a few feet underground, the journey continues with the archaeological crypt of the Île de la Cité. A religious, historical and cultural pilgrimage.

Tried and tested by history

History tells us that the first stone was laid in 1163. 8 centuries later, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and its gargoyles continue to witness the changes that are shaping the City of Light.

In 1789, the Revolution ravaged the cathedral. The spire was dismantled, the statues decapitated and the treasures looted. Deprived of its religious function, Notre-Dame was temporarily turned into a wine storehouse, and the idea of tearing it down was even considered… Victor Hugo, who fell in love with the old lady, restored her to her former glory. A literary tribute that helped save it from destruction. Led by the architect Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for the restoration of the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Poissy and the basilique cathédrale de Saint-Denis, the renovation work took 20 years to complete.

Continue your tour of the most beautiful monuments in Paris and its region.