VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets & here’s why!
Notre Dame – Paris, France
We’ve been to Paris a few times but on short trips, so not much time to do anything but run past famous sights & photograph them. This time, we were very much looking forward to going in Notre Dame.
We booked a tour with the Get Your Guide app, and were very happy with our guide, Melvill. He told us he loves history & you could certainly tell that throughout the tour. He came well prepared with photos, to give us background. We were a group of 5 so just the right number; 1 from Germany, 2 from South Africa & us, from Canada. Nothing really prepares you for when you enter the cathedral… you know something spectacular is there as you’ve already seen the stunning exterior, but wow it is unbelievable.
We weren’t sure what to expect, as there had been the big fire that started under the eaves of Notre Dame’s roof in 2019. The fire engulfed the spire & most of the roof, so we wondered what it would now look like… it looks unreal. Perfect.
We saw where there is a blue decorative plaque in the ceiling that marks where the spire, once the steel was burning so hot, fell through the ceiling and onto the floors below. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw all of the stained glass intact, absolutely stunning. It’s really quite difficult to put into words, the feeling of this place. We took so many photos because we knew it would be better to show the photos than try to describe it.
Among the beauty of each sparkling, shining piece, was one very stark reminder of the near tragic fire… one of the weather vane roosters that had been on the roof, was encased in glass, it’s half melted metal shape, warped from the flames.
The many frescos, the countless stained glass windows, the gilding, the statues, the unbelievable tile floors, the paintings, the chandeliers, the hand carved confessionals… all of it captured in a photo display, you won’t believe. And yes, the spire is right back where it should be, standing proud to be seen from near & far.
Historical Summary
Few buildings in the world carry the emotional weight of Notre-Dame de Paris. Standing proudly on the Île de la Cité since the 12th century, this Gothic masterpiece has witnessed revolutions, coronations, war, and renewal. Construction began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and continued for nearly two centuries, resulting in one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture ever created.
Its soaring ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and vast rose windows were revolutionary for their time. The cathedral became the spiritual heart of France, hosting events such as the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804. Yet like much of Paris, Notre-Dame endured hardship. During the French Revolution, it was desecrated and repurposed. In the 19th century, thanks in part to Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, public support led to a major restoration under architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, including the now-famous spire.
Then came April 15, 2019. A devastating fire tore through the roof, collapsing the spire and shocking the world. For years, restoration teams worked meticulously to preserve original stonework, reconstruct the wooden roof structure, and faithfully rebuild what had been lost.
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