This masterpiece of Gothic architecture is one of Paris's most famous
landmarks and one of France's most visited religious monuments. In 1163,
the Bishop
of Paris, Maurice de Sully, launched the building of the cathedral, which
took nearly 200 years to complete. One of the architects involved was
Pierre de Montreuil, who also built the nearby Sainte- Chapelle. Later
alterations deprived the church of its rood screen and of some of its
original stained glass. Many of its statues were damaged during the French
Revolution because the Commune thought they were images of the kings
of France. The cathedral also lost all its original bells, except the
'gras bourdon', known as Emmanuel, which is traditionally heard on occasions
of national impor-tance. Restoration work was carried out in the 19th
century by the famous architect Viollet-Ie-Duc and the area round the
cathedral was cleared. From across the vast square in front of the cathedral
you can admire the harmonious proportions and almost perfect symmetry
of the facade. The richly decorated portals are surmounted by statues
of the kings of Judaea restored by Viollet-Ie-Duc. Above the central
rose window, a colonnade links the elegant twin towers. There is a fine
view from the south tower, if you can manage the 387-step climb. The
nave is 130m long, 48m wide and 35m high; the side chapels are richly
decorated with paintings, sculptures and funeral monuments. Note the
beautiful rose window at each end of the transept. The former vestry,
on the right of the chancel, houses the Cathedral Treasure, which includes
a piece of the Holy Cross.
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