Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral
Address: Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 place du Parvis, Place Jean-Paul II, Paris 75004
Arrondissement: 4th
Hours: 8:00am to 6:45pm
Tickets: With a hostess 20EUR; Without a hostess 3EUR, Children 1EUR; With an audio guide 5EUR
WWW: Notre Dame Cathedral
Phone: +33 (0)1 42 34 56 10.
Email: info@cathedraledeparis.com
About Notre Dame
Notre Dame is a French Gothic cathedral that is still used today as a Roman Catholic church and the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. The cathedrals construction was long and spanned the Gothic period from 1160 until 1345. This period was known for its influence called naturalism which can be seen in the buildings stained glass, sculptures and more rounded appearance. It was also one of the first to use architectural plans that included the use of flying buttresses as support features. Today it is still considered one of the finest examples in the world of French Gothic architecture.
Notre Dame has seen its fair share of ups and downs, along with the French people. Crusaders prayed within its walls before they went out to fight during the Holy Wars. During the French Revolution in the 18th century a majority of the most treasured items in the church were destroyed. The famous status of the biblical kings of Judea were beheaded and only recently in 1977 were the heads found during an excavation and put on display. For some time the church was used as a warehouse to store food by the Cult of Reason and then the Cult of the Supreme Being before it was turned back over to the Catholics. In 1871 it was nearly burned to the ground by Communards but some how came out untouched.
There is much to see and do at the church such as going up the 387 steps to one of the towers made infamous by the story of Quisamodo. The south tower holds a 13 ton bell that is rung for all of France to hear during special occasions. Notre Dame also houses a large and beautiful organ which has was built in the early 1700’s and completely reconstructed in the 1800’s. There is also exquisite architecture around every corner and sculptures throughout.
Getting to Notre Dame
The island where Notre Dame is located, Ile de la Cite has one Paris Métro station, Cité; the RER station, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame” on the Left Bank has an exit in the square front of the Cathedral.
Here is a short guide to hotels near Notre Dame, Paris.
Located at 1 Rue Racine, the Hotel de La Faculte offers a setting in a late 19th century building situated in center of the active Latin quarter. It is just mere steps from Notre Dame as well as other sites like Sorbonne. From your room, you can enjoy a view of the beloved cathedral for a mere 55EUR per night. For this price, you not only get sweeping views of the city, but a continental breakfast and 24 hour front desk and concierge service. Fido is also more than welcome. This hotel is a half a mile from the Notre Dame cathedral and even closer to metro station Cluny La Sorbonne and St. Michel Notre-Dame.
The 3 star Crystal Hotel, located at 24 Rue Saint Benoit, is a mere 20 minute walk from Notre Dame and also a short walk to the Louvre, St Germain Des Pres, Musee D’Orsay and the Tuileries. A delicious breakfast is offered in a cavernous stone walled room each morning. The receptionists are there to make your stay unforgettable and help you any way that they can. All of the rooms are done up with pieces of art and beautiful deep color palettes. Rates start at 101.37EUR per night. Crystal Hotel is a short distance from metro line Saint Germain des Pres on line 4 and Mabillon station on line 10.
Located beside a vast Parisian park, 4 star hotel Novotel Paris Les Halles is an ideal stay for visitors who want to see the Notre Dame, Louvre, Pompidou Center and views from a top the banks of the Siene. The restaurant and bar “La Place” offers tasty delights and beautiful views of the Saint Eustaches and Les Halles gardens. It offers business with 8 high tech meeting rooms and pleasure with its perfect location in the heart of Paris. All of the rooms are completely elegant with a soothing decor. Rates start at 155.70EUR per night. The hotel can easily be reached by Metro Chatelet and getting off from Lines 1 & 7’s shared station Place Ste-Opportune or Line 4’s Rue de la Lingerie station. Situated half a mile from Notre Dame and it is less than a mile from the Cite metro station.
Photo courtesy of Anthony Von Hoe.
