Ideally located within the 4th arrondissement of Paris and within easy reach of many of our holiday apartments, the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral is a sight certainly not to be missed whilst visiting this wonderful city. Attracting thousands of tourists every single day from all over the globe, the cathedral is steeped in history and is brimming with a superb array of truly impressive features, making it one of Paris’ most popular attractions.
Situated upon the eastern side of the charming Ile de la Cite, an island in the middle of the majestic River Seine, the Notre Dame Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most famous cathedrals known to man. Dating back over hundreds of years, the Roman Catholic Cathedral is not only one of Paris’ most well-known attractions but it is also still used to this day as a popular place of worship, with masses being held regularly throughout the week. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Notre Dame is renowned for its rich and fascinating history, together with its magnificent collection of incredible French Gothic architecture, beautiful sculptures and remarkable furnishings.
Under orders of the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, the first stone of the Notre Dame Cathedral was laid in 1163. Construction took more than two years to complete, with several restorations and alterations taking place ever since, resulting in the striking structure that can be seen today. With a framework largely made up of solid oak beams and designed to replicate the shape of a cross, the cathedral measures an impressive 130 metres long and 48 metres wide. The west façade of Notre Dame exhibits two gigantic towers, which are overlooked by the cathedral’s incredible 93 metre high spire.
Within the immense building are a fine selection of stunning features, including many amazing statues, several fabulous paintings and a multitude of breath-taking artefacts. It is here that you will also find three tremendous organs which play an essential role in the cathedral’s acoustics. The Great Organ is perhaps one of the most recognised musical instruments in the world and is an attraction in itself. The stained glass windows of Notre Dame are also known to be a crowd pleaser, especially the exquisite South Rose Window, which was a gift from the King Saint Louis. Bursting with colour and depicting a collection of religious figures, the window is made up of an enormous rosette, which is dedicated to the New Testament, set above an amazing central medallion section.
Notre Dame is also much loved for its numerous impressive bells, which ring out to mark the start of daily services and chime the hours of the day. The most recognisable of all the bells is the giant Emmanuel Bell, which is housed within the cathedral’s South Tower. Weighing more than 13 tonnes, the bell dates back to the late 1600s and is regarded by many notable musicians as one of the most beautiful sound vessels in the whole of Europe. The Emmanuel Bell is often sounded for important events within the city, as well as for the cathedral’s religious festivals.
More information relating to the opening times, services and festivals of Notre Dame Cathedral, including accessibility options, can be found on the website – www.notredamedeparis.fr/
2006-2021 © ApartmentsInParis.com. Privacy Statement | Terms and Conditions