Its international reputation attracts a considerable number of tourists who make it the first monument visited in Paris. Located on the Ile de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, the cathedral dominates from 96 meters high the latin district.
This Parisian building with Gothic architecture dates from the 12th century and its remarkable construction lasted 2 centuries! The French Revolution created some damage but was soon restored by Viollet Le Duc.
“Notre Dame”, say the Parisians for short, is also the starting point of the road distances of France: the zero point is located on the square of the cathedral.
With two 69m towers and a 96m arrow, Notre Dame de Paris holds the largest rosette in Europe: 12 m in diameter.
The gargoyles, made famous by Victor Hugo, in his novel
Notre Dame de Paris, have a purely decorative effect: they are generally
fantastic animal figures.
Inside the cathedral, the Holy Crown of Epines, the most venerated relic and
the precious is preserved.
The square facing Notre Dame, named Place John Paul II: although it was the object of macabre scenes with public hangings in the Middle Ages, it is today a place of gathering, exchanges and street demonstrations such as roller skates demonstrations. It also houses an archaeological crypt which is the most important in Europe and which offers a unique vision of the urban and architectural evolution of the Ile de la Cité.
It is also in front of Notre Dame, on the court, that stands the statue of Charlemagne and his Leudes, all in bronze: its setting up date of universal exposition in 1878.
The Hôtel du Levant is a 5-minute walk from Notre Dame de Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter.