Construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1163, when the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, wanted to build a church that could accommodate the expanding city population. The final touches were finished in 1345, almost 180 years after the work was started. Since that time the cathedral has been involved in numerous historical events: Crusaders would often pray for victory here before leaving for war; French revolutionaries of the late 18th century tore down statues of saints in a rebellion against French royalty; Napolean crowned himself emperor in 1804 after being anointed by Pope Pius VII. Today, services are still held inside the cathedral nearly every day.
The Notre Dame cathedral is most known for its architectural achievements in early Gothic style, making it one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Two towers flank either side of the building's west front, with the South Tower housing the bell Victor Hugo's character Quasimodo rang in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The South Rose window, depicting various characters and stories from the New Testament, was given as a gift by King Louis IX and is the cathedral's most famous stained-glass window. The main room of the cathedral, where the organ is housed, runs more than 455 feet long by 98 feet wide, and the highest point of the room reaches nearly 125 feet. Hundreds of statues line the interior and exterior of the building, featuring the Twelve Apostles, saints and gargoyles.
Two organs play music inside the cathedral: the Great Organ and the Choir Organ. The Great Organ was built in 1401 and has undergone various modifications and additions over the next several centuries. It can be heard on Sunday morning services. The smaller Choir Organ can be heard during the week at services, and acts as a backup when the Great Organ is under repair.
The Notre Dame cathedral is open year-round, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Audioguides are available on-site for a self-guided tour; guided tours are available in several languages and begin at the Great Organ at different times throughout the day. Specific information about the times and languages can be found on the Notre Dame Cathedral's website.
Night shows are held every year during September and October inside the cathedral. According to the cathedral's website, these shows are "operas composed of sounds and images" projected onto a screen suspended from the ceiling and measuring approximately 100 square meters. Night shows are free, but donations during the performance are accepted.
