Cathedrale Notre-Dame, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral, is a historic Catholic cathedral located in the heart of Paris, France. The cathedral is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and has been an important landmark in the city for over 800 years.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 and took over 200 years to complete. The building’s iconic towers, stained-glass windows, and ornate stone carvings are all representative of the Gothic style. The cathedral’s most famous feature is its soaring spire, which was added in the 19th century and was destroyed in a devastating fire in April 2019.
Throughout its history, Notre-Dame has played an important role in French culture and politics. The cathedral has been the site of numerous significant events, including the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France in 1804 and the beatification of Joan of Arc in 1909. The cathedral also served as the backdrop for Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” which helped to popularize the building and led to its restoration in the 19th century.
The 2019 fire caused extensive damage to the cathedral, including the destruction of its spire and the collapse of its roof. The building is currently undergoing a major restoration project, which is expected to take several years and cost hundreds of millions of euros. Despite the damage, Notre-Dame remains an important symbol of French history and culture, and millions of people continue to visit the cathedral each year to marvel at its beauty and rich history.