Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, built from 1163 and completed in 1345, is located in the historic heart of Paris. On the Île de la Cité. In the early Middle Ages, the presence of a cathedral is attested on the eastern point of the island. Under the reigns of Clovis and his son Childebert, three Christian buildings appeared: a baptistery, the church of Sainte Marie and the basilica of Saint-Etienne. A cathedral complex developed with the construction of buildings dedicated to the episcopal power. This architectural work is a historical symbol of the city of Paris.
History of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral
In 1163, Bishop Maurice de Sully, the son of a poor wood gatherer, succeeded in undertaking the construction of Notre Dame, which was a colossal gamble. For 33 years he supervised the work, followed by Odon de Sully. Started under the reign of Louis VII, the construction will last nearly 170 years, during the reigns of 10 kings.
In 1250, 90 years later, the main part of the building was completed. From an architectural point of view, it is originally a transition from Romanesque to Gothic.
Until 1345, the work will concern the finishing touches, as well as remodeling to remake the parts built in Romanesque style, such as the transepts. The names of the master builders who succeeded each other were Pierre de Montreuil, Jean Ravy, Jean le Bouteiller, and Raymond du Temple.
In the 19th century, the general restoration of the cathedral was undertaken under the direction of the architects Jean-Baptiste Lassus and Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. The works lasted twenty years from 1844 to 1864 and allowed Viollet-le-Duc to elaborate a restoration process that he would generalize on all his other medieval sites.
The recent events know as Notre-Dame de Paris fire that occurred on January 15 and 16, 2019 force the cathedral to a new restoration. Rehabilitation works are planned until 2025.
Point of interest : South rose window of Notre-Dame
The southern rose window was offered by King Saint Louis. It was built in 1260, echoing the north rose window built around 1250. This work was designed by Jean de Chelles, then by Pierre de Montreuil. It measures almost thirteen meters in diameter. With the clerestory on which it rests, the total height of the window reaches nearly nineteen meters.
South rose window of Notre-Dame consists of eighty-four panels distributed in four circles. Their number is based on the symbolic numbers four, twelve and twenty-four. The twelve apostles are distributed in the two circles. They are mixed with martyred saints often honored in France. Including Laurent, Denis (first bishop of Paris), Pothin (bishop of Lyon), Blandine, Ambroise, Eustache…
The third and fourth circles depict scenes from the New and Old Testaments, the flight into Egypt, the healing of a paralytic, the judgment of Solomon and the annunciation. Nine scenes from the life of St. Matthew date from the late 12th century.
The two spandrels represent, on the one hand, the descent into hell, surrounded by Moses and Aaron and the temptation of Adam and Eve ; on the other hand, the resurrection of Christ, with St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Magdalene and St. John.
The rose had to be propped up from 1543, following settlements in the masonry. Restored between 1725 and 1727 by Guillaume Brice under the direction of Boffrand. The work was poorly executed and is still criticized today. The fire of the archbishopric during the revolution of 1830 has also seriously altered the rose window.
Prepare your visit to the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral
How to get there?
Adress : 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Metro Stops : Cité (Line 4) or Saint-Michel (Line 4 or RER B/C)
Latest recommendations : Since the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April 2019, the building and its surroundings have been closed to the public. Safety and consolidation work is underway. At the end, the restoration itself will be able to begin.
Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to come and contemplate the Cathedral or take a photo of it from the little streets of the Ile de la Cité, the bridges over the Seine, the left bank quays and the Ile Saint Louis.The walk is a magical and memorable moment.
To find out when the cathedral will be open to visitors, you can follow us on social networks.
Please note that reservations are required to visit the tower of Notre Dame de Paris.
More information by phone.
version francaise : Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Website (french only) : www.notredamedeparis.fr
