Historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre Dame is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages as well as one of the most beloved structures in the world. Situated on the Ile de la Cite, an island in the Seine, the cathedral’s architecture is famous for, among other things, its many gargoyles and its iconic flying buttresses. Among the most celebrated artworks inside are its three stained-glass rose windows, placed high up on the west, north and south faces of the cathedral. Its priceless treasures also include a Catholic relic, the crown of thorns, which is only occasionally displayed, including on Fridays during Lent.

Section:Gallery

Mon., April 15, 2019

APRIL 8, 2017: Tourists visiting the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris - most famous Roman Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Cite Island.
A crown of thorns which was believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ and which was bought by King Louis IX in 1239 is presented at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday March 21, 2014. To mark the 800th anniversary of Louis IX's christening, the crown of thorns will be displayed outside Notre Dame, at the Collegiate Church of Poissy, where King Louis IX was christened.

Remy De La Mauviniere Associated Press
A knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre stands near a crown of thorns which was believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ and which was bought by King Louis IX in 1239 is presented at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday March 21, 2014. To mark the 800th anniversary of Louis IX's christening, the crown of thorns will be displayed outside Notre Dame, at the Collegiate Church of Poissy, where King Louis IX was christened.

Remy De La Mauviniere Associated Press
A crown of thorns which was believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ and which was bought by King Louis IX in 1239 is presented at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday March 21, 2014. To mark the 800th anniversary of Louis IX's christening, the crown of thorns will be displayed outside Notre Dame, at the Collegiate Church of Poissy, where King Louis IX was christened.

Remy De La Mauviniere Associated Press
The 16 copper statues, which decorate the roof of Notre-Dame de Paris since the 19 th century, go down on Thursday to allow the integral restoration of all the elements which form the fleche of the cathedral.

Houpline Renard Sipa
PARIS / FRANCE - AUGUST 28 2014: The North Rose window at Notre Dame cathedral. Stained glass
The North Rose window at Notre Dame cathedral. Stained glass.
Devotees attend a Mass at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, on April 7, 2018.

Sipa Pedro Fiuza
Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris sunny autumn afternoon
A flying buttress on the Notre-Dame Cathedral is visibly damaged, in Paris, France, 27 September 2017. The air pollution is causing damage to the tourist magnet - as a result the church want to raise 100 million euros with the help of a fundraising campaign for an extensive restauration. Photo by: Sebastian Kunigkeit/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Sebastian Kunigkeit Picture-Alliance
Stone demons gargoyle and chimera with Paris city on background. View from Notre Dame de Paris
2897121 07/19/2016 A gargoyle on the northern facade of Notre Dame de Paris.

Natalia Seliverstova Sputnik
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral on October 3, 2018, in Paris, France.

Doug Kranz Icon Sportswire
The nine new bronze bells are displayed in Notre Dame cathedral during a ceremony of blessing by Paris Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois in Paris, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Nine enormous new bronze bells have made their way at Notre Dame Cathedral, helping the medieval edifice to rediscover its historical harmony.

Francois Mori Associated Press
This 1987 photo shows the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Art experts around the world reacted with horror to news of the fire that ravaged cathedral on Monday, April 15, 2019. One shell-shocked art expert is calling the beloved Gothic masterpiece ‘one of the great monuments to the best of civilization.’

Lionel Cironneau Associated Press
This April 18, 1967 photo, shows the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Art experts around the world reacted with horror to news of the fire that ravaged cathedral on Monday, April 15, 2019. One shell-shocked art expert is calling the beloved Gothic masterpiece ‘one of the great monuments to the best of civilization.’

Uncredited Associated Press
This 1911 photo shows the Notre Dame Cathedral, on the island called Ile de la Cite in Paris. Art experts around the world reacted with horror to news of the fire that ravaged cathedral on Monday, April 15, 2019. One shell-shocked art expert is calling the beloved Gothic masterpiece ‘one of the great monuments to the best of civilization.’