The secrets of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

An iconic cathedral of the Middle Ages, an essential monument in French history and the Parisian landscape, Notre-Dame de Paris is probably the most famous of all French religious buildings. Located on the Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, its construction, initiated by Bishop Maurice de Sully, spanned several centuries, from 1163 to the 19th century.

Having nearly disappeared after the French Revolution, dismantled by demolition crews and then by general indifference, it was not until the Romantic revival, largely fueled by Victor Hugo's eponymous novel, Notre-Dame de Paris, in 1831, that public opinion finally decided to preserve this important site of Christianity, and quite simply, of the national historical heritage. More recently, the devastating fire of 2019 revived the possibility of the cathedral's complete destruction, a possibility fortunately averted thanks to the courage of the firefighters.

To revisit this eventful history, and to discover in particular the remarkable restoration work carried out by the artisans who enabled the cathedral to reopen on December 7, 2024, I invite you to join me on a guided tour of this historic landmark.

Please note that guided tours inside the cathedral will only be available from June 9, 2024, and that audio guides are required for groups of 7 or more, for reasons of comfort, as the cathedral remains a place of worship frequented by the faithful.